Relax Big Blue Nation!
The New York Giants’ organization and fan base released a unison sigh of relief when reports of their star wide receiver, Odell Beckham Jr., came back as having only suffered from “a couple of cuts to his left ankle”, per a Fox Sports report released on August 1, 2016.
According to the report, during yesterday’s training camp session, Beckham and newly signed cornerback Janoris Jenkins, got tangled up on a play, resulting in a not-so-soft landing and limp off the field by OBJ.
Immediately being looked at by training staff, the third-year sensation made the wise decision to end his training day session for the day on Sunday.
Beckham did not suffer from any major or minor left ankle injury, only abrasions from being cleated by Jenkins. According to a July 31, 2016 report on NJ.com, when asked about the injury, Beckham said it was “just a minor setback” and that “It’s football. It happens”.
Sure, it’s only football, Odell. But as fans, we know all too well how important it is to have the superstar receiver on the field. Without OBJ on the field, the Giants lose a dimension on the offensive side of the ball that is essential for the G-Men’s success.
Just look at the most recent example of the Giants playing without their star.
After Odell’s nightmare-of-a-game versus the Carolina Panthers, the NFL handed down a one-game suspension for his on-the-field antics.
The following week, New York faced off against the Minnesota Vikings in a must-win game for Tom Coughlin and the Beckham-less Giants.
The Giants suffered their franchise-worst loss since 2013 by a lopsided score of 49-17.
The most notable statistic from that late-season game was the offense’s inability to convert a first down. The Giants had just one third-down conversion all night.
Beckham thrives in third-down situations. The above statistic, and most likely the score, would have looked much different had Beckham been on the field that night.
While there is no excuse for the quality of play put up by the Giants that night, when Beckham is not on the field, whether it be because of an injury or suspension, the Giants are truly an incomplete team.
Luckily, Beckham, and the rest of his Giants teammates, have Monday off for his very minor injury to heal. Expect to see Odell back out on the field this week for the continuation of training camp.