BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Wednesday afternoon Odell Beckham Jr. was back on the Browns injury report.
Thursday he set the record straight after being listed as ‘Limited’ by the team.
“No, I wasn't limited, not that I know of,” Beckham said. “I remember taking all the reps.”
Following practice Thursday, his participation was upgraded to ‘Full.’
Beckham suffered a shoulder injury on the first play of the game against the Bears in which he appeared to be held, which wasn’t called, and the pass fell incomplete. Beckham caught Baker Mayfield’s next throw for a 13-yard gain on the second play and finished with five receptions for 77 yards in the win.
“Odell came in and caught the balls that were thrown to him his way,” offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said. “He looked really good running routes. He drew coverage his way, which helps us in a lot of different ways in the run game and in the pass game, as well. He definitely had an impact out there, and we expect that to continue.”
Following Sunday’s 26-6 win, Beckham spoke of the exhaustion and not feeling like his legs were under him, which was just as much emotional as it was physical following his successful return from ACL surgery last November.
“I’ve been training had and I’m in great shape, so I’m sure it’s not a physical my legs are not under me as it’s just emotions,” Beckham said. “Like I told you, it’s been a long time to get back on that field, and you run out and you feel the love, you know the family is there. It’s just excited, so I’m sure it was more that than physical.”
Boot of confidence – Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer has spoken highly of kicker Chase McLaughlin since training camp and it was no surprise to see Priefer beaming with pride Thursday after McLaughlin drilled a 57 and 52-yard field goal against the Bears.
“He does not bat an eye,” Priefer said. “He is a very mentally tough young man. He is a much stronger and a better kicker than he was when he came out of Illinois. I think at the end of the day, his confidence will continue to grow, but he knows every kick is extremely important. He has to have the same focus and intensity that he approached the other kicks with on Sunday.”
Nothing new – The outrage over the NFL’s decision to extend ‘Super Wild Card Weekend’ to Monday Night Football left Tretter, who is the NFLPA president, somewhat perplexed.
“What I think everybody’s biggest complaint was, was the potential six-day rest or six days off before the next game but I believe we’ve already seen a ton of examples of that,” Tretter explained. “The first week of the playoffs, everybody plays Sunday in Week 17 or Week 18 now and then a bunch of teams play Saturday, so that’s six days rest.
“There’s a ton of examples of six day [rest] – that’s not new. We’ve had that for a long time. So I think people kind of forgot that and the six days stood out because it’s not the normal seven of the regular season but teams play on six day rest a ton in the playoffs. That’s not abnormal.”
Payback – Beckham got himself into trouble following the 2020 National Championship game when he was caught on camera passing out money to LSU players following their victory over Clemson.
One of those players to get a wad of cash was current Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson, and now Beckham might want a refund.
“I told him we’re coming for that 4-6 hundred dollars that he might owe me plus interest from the championship game,” Beckham, who was banned for two years by LSU in an effort to avoid NCAA penalties, joked Thursday.
“So it’s the only reason I’m making the trip is just to get this 400 to 600 hundred from him.”
Jefferson, in his second season, already has 1,654 yards and nine touchdowns in 19 games.
“He’s definitely just a special player,” Beckham said. “Just to watch him and how much he has evolved and what’s he’s done and what’s doing in the league and what he’s going to continue to do, love to see it.”
Best worst ever – The reviews from Joel Bitonio’s and Jack Conklin’s local car commercial continue to roll in, and they’re not good.
Wednesday it was center J.C. Tretter’s turn to take aim at one teammate and schill for another.
“I’ve dissected that film pretty aggressively,” Tretter said. “I’ve talked to Jack about making sure he truly understands how to throw a football because based off that hand motion I’m not sure he’s ever thrown one. I’ve tried to give them some pointers. Joel, I think, for any local business must be the go-to guy for any possible commercial. I would reach out to his agent. I think he’s a star in the making but it’s always funny to see those kind of so bad it’s good commercials that come out probably once a year. So it’s always fun to laugh about those.”
Practice squad add – A day after placing cornerback Tim Harris on the practice squad/COVID list, the team signed cornerback Bryan Mills to take his place on the roster.
Mills was signed by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent and also spent time with the New Orleans Saints in training camp before being released in August.
Injury report – DNP: CB Greg Newsome II (calf-OUT), C J.C. Tretter (knee), LT Jedrick Wills (ankle); LIMITED: RT Jack Conklin (knee), OT Chris Hubbard (triceps), LB Sione Takitaki (hamstring); FULL: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (shoulder), DE Jadeveon Clowney (neck)
Up next – Practice Friday.