Cleveland Browns are eager to see their newly-acquired Pro-Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in action, but that might not happen soon enough. According to ESPN, Beckham is currently dealing with a hip injury and is being held out of practice.
Beckham missed or had limited participation in six out of 15 Browns’ practices so far, while sitting out the team’s preseason opener against Washington Redskins. He was also forced to take a day off due to illness.
Browns’ head coach Freddie Kitchens confirmed on Wednesday that Beckham is dealing with an injury, but didn’t reveal any further details.
“He’s got a little bit of something going on but we expect him back pretty soon,” – Kitchens told reporters.
Kitchens left the open possibility for Beckham to play in their second preseason game on Saturday, but added that they “haven’t decided yet.”
Odell Beckham’s prolonged absence from the practices might be worrying for Cleveland Browns, given the fact that he joined the organization only several months ago. On top of that, he also missed all the team’s voluntary offseason workouts as well as the extra minicamp.
Still, Browns’ quarterback Baker Mayfield is convinced that he will have no problem connecting with Beckham once he is fully ready.
“We have the next-man-up mentality,” – said Mayfield after Wednesday’s practice. “Obviously, he’s going to be ready to go when it’s time to play. Him sitting out and doing some of these things mentally is him getting used to the offense and seeing different things and hearing us communicating it.”
