Veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has officially made the New York Giants’ 53‑man roster submitted Sunday, marking a notable comeback for the 33‑year‑old who began his NFL career with the team in 2014.
Beckham’s performance improved as training camp progressed, and he demonstrated his continued ability to produce in preseason games. Over three exhibition contests he recorded seven catches for 76 yards, highlighted by a three‑catch, 53‑yard effort in the final preseason matchup against the New York Jets.
Perseverance Through Adversity
“I feel like I gave everything I had,” Beckham said after the Jets game. “I’m just truly grateful for that opportunity, that experience. It was a tough couple years, taking a step back and deciding, do you go forward with life? Are you done? The mental battles that we go through and just push through, persevere and overcome adversity.”
Coach John Harbaugh praised Beckham’s camp, noting that the final week of practice was his best. “He’s looked good and made numerous plays,” Harbaugh said.
Background and Recent History
Beckham missed the 2025 season, serving a six‑game suspension for a performance‑enhancing drug violation and spending the remainder of the year out of football. His last NFL appearance came on Dec. 8, 2024, when he played nine games for the Miami Dolphins, catching nine passes for 55 yards before being waived on Dec. 13.
After the suspension, Beckham began rebuilding his conditioning in the spring, working out for the Giants in April and signing a contract in June. He acknowledged early in the offseason that earning a roster spot would require hard work and dedication.
Family Motivation
Beckham cited his son’s presence at the Jets game as a powerful motivator. “Seeing my son at the game, yelling, just looking at me, and he told one of his friends: ‘Yeah, people always want to take a picture of my dad. He must be the best,’” he said, adding that he wants to be a good example for his child.
Roster Moves and Future Outlook
A season‑ending knee injury to fellow receiver Calvin Austin opened a roster opening for Beckham and return specialist Braxton Berrios, who is being released but is expected to return before the season opener on Sept. 13 against the Dallas Cowboys. If Beckham plays that night, it will be his first home game in a Giants uniform since Dec. 2, 2018.
Beckham, who wore No. 3 during camp, is expected to reclaim his familiar No. 13 after the Giants cut wideout Jalin Hyatt, a third‑round pick from 2023 who never recorded a touchdown catch in three seasons.
Other notable cuts included offensive lineman Evan Neal, a 2022 seventh‑overall selection, and several recent draft picks who failed to make the final roster. Veteran Darius Slayton joins Beckham, Malik Nabers, Darnell Mooney and rookie Malachi Fields as the five receivers who secured spots.
Beckham’s return adds veteran depth to a Giants receiving corps that hopes to improve after a challenging 2025 campaign. His experience, combined with a renewed focus on family and perseverance, offers a hopeful narrative for both the team and its fans as the regular season approaches.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
