The Minnesota Vikings may finally be ready to put Odell Beckham Jr. on the field.
After Beckham landed on the practice squad heading into Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints, his path to a debut got complicated fast. He was elevated for that game, but once Justin Jefferson was cleared to play, Beckham ended up inactive. Since the bye week, he has stayed in the background while the Vikings’ offense dealt with bigger problems.
That could change for Monday night’s matchup with the Buffalo Bills. On Saturday, Kevin O’Connell said wide receiver Jauan Jennings will miss the game because of a calf strain he picked up during the practice week, and that opened the door for another receiver elevation.
“Been encouraged by Odell this week in practice. It’s certainly something we’re thinking about, but we likely will have an elevation,” O’Connell said.
The Vikings still have some moving parts to sort through, but Beckham is now squarely in the mix. O’Connell said Jennings’ role as the team’s “F” receiver creates a wrinkle, especially since Beckham has mostly been working behind Jefferson and Addison until this week.
“Because of the position, you know, obviously being the 'F' receiver that Jauan Jennings plays, there’s a little bit of working through maybe a new position, even this week, if it were to be that.”
O’Connell also pointed to the need to sort out game situations and how Tai Felton and Myles Price factor in with Jennings unavailable. Still, the most likely move appears to be a practice squad elevation at receiver, with Dillon Bell, whom O’Connell called a “true F” (receiver), and Jeshaun Jones also in the picture alongside Beckham.
“So, that’s what we’re working through, working our way backwards from certain parts of the game” O’Connell said. “Whether it’s red zone or third down, first and second down.
We’ll have a bunch of tags regardless and get guys in there so they can go play. But we have confidence in all those guys, and that’s why we’ve put together a really strong practice squad at that position.”
Beckham’s first elevation was basically a wash, since he never had to suit up. If the Vikings use one of their remaining practice squad elevations on him now, it would be with a real chance he actually plays. That opportunity appears to be back on the table.
Even then, dressing for the game and making an impact are two different things. But this is the clearest opening Beckham has had yet to make his Vikings debut.
Teams have until noon CT to announce Monday night roster moves. If Beckham is not elevated, the article notes it would not be surprising if he asks to be released next week, and that general manager Nolan Teasley would likely grant that request.
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