Browns excuse Beckham again
Status uncertain, but some players want him back
Odell Beckham Jr. remains lined up outside — way outside.
The polarizing wide receiver was excused from practice for the second straight day on Thursday as the Cleveland Browns figure out their next move with him, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The team hasn’t reached a conclusion yet on what to do with Beckham, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
Beckham has likely played his last game in Cleveland, his exit hastened by his father sharing a video on social media criticizing quarterback Baker Mayfield for not throwing the ball to the three-time Pro Bowler.
Beckham’s silence on the matter underscores his divide with the Browns.
And while the team’s front office works toward a solution, some players expressed a willingness to bring Beckham back.
“Hopefully we can get him back if that’s possible,” said safety John Johnson III. “I feel like the majority of this locker room would love to have him in this building. Flat out.
“I guess the leaders in this building feel like we can do it without him. Some guys might have a different opinion. So moving forward, hopefully we can get him back somehow. But if not, we’ve got to keep it going. We’ve got a big game coming up, another division game, that’s what my mindset is, just get ready for this week.”
Browns left guard Joel Bitonio, one of the team’s most respected leaders, said there is confusion over Beckham’s status.
“Yeah, it’s hard because we don’t know what the situation is,” he said. “We think he’s a great player when he’s on the field, but we don’t know what the situation is. We don’t know what’s really going on.
“We probably know as much as you guys know from outside the building. But if he wants to come back and be part of the team, I’m sure we’d welcome him with open arms.”
Cleveland could waive Beckham if it doesn’t see a reconciliation, which seems like a long shot at this point.
Beckham turns 29 on Friday. He’s making $15.75 million this season, and the Browns would have to pay him more than half of that if he was waived and not claimed by another team.
Giants: New York limited access to their facility after the laboratory handling their COVID-19 testing had an unusually high number of false positive tests. The Giants said several more players and coaches had false positives on Thursday, forcing the team to cancel in-facility morning meetings for players and to close their office to non-football staff.
Raiders: Derek Carr said Henry Ruggs III needs to be loved right now and needs to know he has people in his corner. “And if no one else will do it, I’ll do it,” the Las Vegas quarterback said Wednesday. Raiders interim coach Rich Bisaccia said it’s important to keep the focus on the fact 23-year-old Tina O. Tintor was killed Tuesday morning in a fiery crash involving Ruggs, the 22-year-old receiver who was cut by the team Tuesday night.
Chargers: Quarterback Justin Herbert was a full participant in Thursday’s practice after being limited on Wednesday due to a right hand injury.
Texans: Quarterback Tyrod Taylor will start when Houston visits the Miami Dolphins on Sunday after missing the past six games with a hamstring injury.
Cowboys: Quarterback Dak Prescott is set to return after missing a game with a calf strain.
Cardinals: Quarterback Kyler Murray didn’t practice for a second straight day on Thursday because of an injured ankle, casting doubt on his status for the team’s upcoming game against the 49ers.