Heading into Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints, with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison both banged up, the Minnesota Vikings signed wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to their practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster for that game, but he was inactive after Jefferson was cleared to play.
Since then, with no elevations to the active roster in the three games since the bye, Beckham has largely been out of sight, out of mind as bigger issues have grabbed the headlines regarding the Vikings' offense.
During his Saturday press conference, ahead of Monday night's game against the Buffalo Bills, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell set the stage for Beckham's potential debut. He ruled wide receiver Jauan Jennings out with a calf strain he suffered during the practice week.
Odell Beckham may finally make his Minnesota Vikings' debut vs. Buffalo Bills
That raised the question of whether Beckham will be elevated to the active roster this week. After discussing other roster considerations, O'Connell had a more direct answer about a potential roster elevation.
"Been encouraged by Odell this week in practice. It's certainly something we're thinking about, but we likely will have an elevation," O'Connell said.
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Later, when asked about Beckham's general grasp of things if he were needed to "do something" on Monday night, O'Connell noted Jennings' unique role (however minimal overall) as the Vikings' "F" receiver and how that might be new for Beckham, who has mostly been practicing as a backup to Jefferson and Addison before this week.
"Because of the position, you know, obviously being the 'F' receiver that Jauan Jennings plays, there's a little bit of working through maybe a new position, even this week, if it were to be that."
O'Connell then cited working through game situations and scenarios, and how Tai Felton and Myles Price fit into the equation with Jennings out. An elevation of a wide receiver from the practice squad seems likely, though, with Dillon Bell, whom O'Connell called a "true F" (receiver), and Jeshaun Jones joining Beckham as options.
"So, that’s what we’re working through, working our way backwards from certain parts of the game". O'Connell said. "Whether it’s red zone or third down, first and second down. We’ll have a bunch of tags regardless and get guys in there so they can go play. But we have confidence in all those guys, and that’s why we’ve put together a really strong practice squad at that position."
The first of three practice squad elevations for Beckham, before he'd have to be signed to the Vikings' 53-man roster, was essentially wasted because he wasn't needed to suit up. Any subsequent elevations will likely be with the idea that he would actually be called on to play, and a potential opportunity on that front has finally come again.
Of course, suiting up and playing a lot/doing something noteworthy are different things. But the best chance yet to see Beckham in a Vikings' uniform is on the radar this week.
Teams have until noon CT to announce moves for Monday night. If he's not elevated to the active roster, even with few, if any, clear alternatives, it's not out of the question that Beckham will ask to be released next week. He'd likely be granted that wish too, with general manager Nolan Teasley being exceptionally unafraid to turn over the Vikings' practice squad.
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