Giants’ Beckham practices but mum on when he’ll play
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Odell Beckham Jr. is getting closer to returning to the New York Giants’ lineup.
The three-time Pro Bowl receiver, who missed the season opener in Dallas, practiced on a limited basis Thursday for the first time since spraining his left ankle more than three weeks ago.
Beckham actually took two steps in his recovery. He took part in some individualized drills and followed that by running routes at “not high speed” and taking some mental reps at the end of practice in preparation for Monday night’s home opener against the Detroit Lions.
The 24-year-old catalyst of the Giants’ offense said there are still some movements that irk his ankle.
“Day by day it is getting better, so we are going in the right direction,” said Beckham, who said the recovery time for his type of ankle injury can last two months. That would indicate a high ankle sprain.
Beckham had not practiced since spraining his ankle in a preseason game on Aug. 21. He started stretching with his teammates during warmups last week.
Beckham would not speculate on whether he would be able to play this week. He said he is looking forward to playing in prime time, if the ankle is ready.
Brady not worried about concussions
Tom Brady doesn’t worry about concussions and considers them part of playing football, the New England Patriots quarterback says in a television interview to be broadcast this weekend.
“I’m not oblivious to them,” Brady tells CBS Sunday Morning. “I mean, I understand the risks that, you know, come with the physical nature of our game.”
Brady’s wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, had said in a May interview that the quarterback has had unreported concussions and she worried about his long-term health. A joint NFL and players union investigation found this week there was no evidence that Brady or the team failed to follow the league’s policies or procedures on concussions.
Odds and ends
The Ravens placed running back Danny Woodhead on injured reserve with a hamstring injury Thursday after he injured it in the first quarter of the season opener and did not return. Coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday the 32-year-old would miss “multiple weeks” and would be a candidate to return later in the season. He would be eligible to play again as soon as Week 11. …
New York Jets linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin has a herniated disk in his back that likely will need season-ending surgery. Coach Todd Bowles confirmed the nature of the injury Thursday, saying that Mauldin’s back “took a turn for the worse.” Doctors have advised Mauldin to have surgery, but the linebacker will get a second opinion before making a decision.