09:29am: ESPN’s Josina Anderson says Beckham texted her this morning and told her that he has not yet made a decision as to whether he will have surgery this offseason (Twitter link). However, he did confirm that he has been in pain since training camp.
08:30am: Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has largely disappointed during his first year in Cleveland. Although he is on pace for a 1,000-yard season, he has just two touchdowns and has caught just 55.3% of his targets, a career low. But there could be a reason for the disconnect between OBJ and quarterback Baker Mayfield.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Beckham has been playing through a serious and painful sports hernia injury that will require surgery in the offseason. The injury has not forced him to miss any game action, but it has kept him out of practice a great deal, so he and Mayfield have not had as much time to develop chemistry as they would like.
As Rapoport observes, Beckham has been on the injury report every week this season with either a hip or groin ailment. Hernias are sometimes characterized as hip or groin injuries, which adds credence to RapSheet’s report.
But as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com writes, the hernia injury is not the only thing keeping Beckham’s production from taking off. Her sources say the Browns’ offensive design is inherently flawed and that there is a disconnect between head coach Freddie Kitchens and offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Some believe that the team’s QBs, including third-stringer Drew Stanton, have too much influence over the game plan, and Beckham has admitted that he has had a hard time keeping his frustration in check.
Beckham did make some headlines earlier this week when he declined to definitively say that he wants to be back with the Browns in 2020. However, Rapoport (unsurprisingly) says it would be far-fetched to expect Cleveland to trade OBJ this offseason. But the club may make major changes to its coaching staff, so between that shake-up and Beckham’s surgery, perhaps Beckham can return to form next year.
Still start OBJ in fantasy today?
Landry.
I’m disappointed by the Browns. I figured this season they would be bad, 1st time HC & 2nd year QB’s usually are. I thought there would be more drama with this mess of a franchise. Usual boring, losing season. Sure it had it’s moments; tackle kicking a player in the head, and Myles’ fight. But it’ll be forgotten shortly.
How could you possibly think there would be more drama than Hue Jackson provided?
Do the writers read their articles before posting?
It is honestly hard to proofread your own writing. You tend to see the words as you intended to write them. I don’t blame the writers there should be an editing process of some kind. Even if it’s as simple as having another writer on this site go over your article and try to catch the obvious mistakes. I’m not complaining I enjoy the site but they could prevent 90% of the errors made fairly easily
Make your own app
I could see Beckham in Arizona next year, teaming up with Kyler Murray. Could you imagine how many deep balls he would get thrown to him? It would be pretty fun to watch!
While OBJ is a diva, is there a more overrated QB in the NFL than Baker Mayfield? His rookie year was a B- or C+ and he has regressed this season despite a sizable increase in offensive talent on this team. If Mayfield doesn’t turn it around next year, the Browns could be, yet again, back in the QB market. I don’t blame OBJ for not wanting to be there.