Beckham continued to be absent from OTAs Thursday, attending just the first session on May 14. He has skipped all but the first day of the offseason workout program, the additional minicamp in late April and the ensuing eight OTAs as well.
Earlier this month head coach Freddie Kitchens struck a dismissive tone and defended Beckham when asked about the 26-year old’s absence, but Thursday afternoon he carried a much different tone when asked about what the star receiver has been missing over the last three weeks.
“A lot,” Kitchens said. “The offense.”
Kitchens clearly hoped that Beckham, who is expected in town next week for the team’s mandatory minicamp which runs Tuesday through Thursday, would participate in more than just one OTA session this offseason.
“I just want to see him,” Kitchens said.
The Browns acquired Beckham along with Pro Bowl defensive end Olivier Vernon on March 13 after agreeing to the trade the previous night.
On Wednesday, Beckham’s new Browns-orange themed Rolls Royce complete with a statuette hood ornament of his famed one-handed catch was unveiled to the social media world.
“Next week is mandatory,” Kitchens said. “He should be here.”
Johnson, who signed a three-year $15 million extension a year ago, requested a trade earlier this spring with his role being diminished last year coupled with the signing of Kareem Hunt in February.
The NFL suspended Hunt for the first eight games of the season for multiple off-the-field incidents and Kitchens as well as GM John Dorsey have consistently said this offseason that Johnson has a significant and important role within the offense.
“The more you can do, the better off you are,” Kitchens said. “We are just constantly rotating guys in. We are not trying to get anybody comfortable right now.”
Corbett hasn’t been at right guard during the last two OTAs that have been open to reporters, instead it’s been St. Ed’s alum Kyle Kalis while Corbett has been snapping footballs with the second unit.
“I know that there’s an open spot but we’re still in May, right? There’s no roster decision that needs to be made now,” Corbett said. “A lot of offensive linemen, a significant majority, are just meatheads and can’t perform until the pads are on anyway so they want to make sure everyone is getting a fair shot at this. They want to put the best five out there and I completely understand that.
“Yeah, I’ve taken plenty of reps with the ones at right guard, but I’ve also taken plenty with the twos at center. They need to know who the one right guard is gonna be and they need to know who the backup center’s gonna be. That’s the nature of the offensive line process.”
Last year’s 33rd overall pick is expected to start at right guard after Kevin Zeitler was included in the trade with the New York Giants.
Landry is dealing with a minor injury according to Kitchens but said sitting Landry out is “precautionary.”
As far as Landry’s availability next week, Kitchens didn’t sound optimistic.
“I do not know that right now. Probably not,” Kitchens said.
Both kickers went 5-of-5 on their kicks with the distance on the attempts topping out at 52 yards during a team period.