But Shurmur says OBJ is ‘close’ to being healthy

Odell Beckham Jr.’s perfect attendance for the Giants voluntary offseason program was too good to be true. The Giants wide receiver was not present for the team’s fourth Organized Team Activity (OTA) on Tuesday, the first voluntary offseason workout session he has missed this year under new head coach Pat Shurmur.

Cornerback Janoris Jenkins was the only other player also not in attendance while Damon “Snacks” Harrison reported for his first OTA.

Beckham’s absence raised a few eyebrows, though, because of his desire for a new contract. Whether or not it was meant to be interpreted as some sort of holdout was unclear.

Shurmur did not divulge much when asked about Beckham but acknowledged he had spoken to him, knew where he was and was aware that he would not attend Tuesday’s OTA.

The Giants head coach also added that Beckham is “healthy” before later saying he is “pretty close” to being cleared for practice as he continues to rehab from a surgically repaired left ankle fracture.

The 25-year-old receiver has seemingly done all the right things since the Giants’ voluntary offseason program began in early April, reporting to the voluntary sessions to learn the new offense, which was also seen as taking a step in the right direction to getting a contract done.

He was even doing some limited work with the wide receivers in individual drills at last week’s first OTA.

“You notice a difference when he’s here,” said fellow receiver Sterling Shepard.

However, there has not been any indication of significant negotiations for a new deal for Beckham and when he did not report to OTAs last offseason, it was a statement that he wanted a contract extension, which he did not receive.

The three-time Pro Bowl receiver is entering his fifth-year option with the Giants, slated to make $8.5 million, but wants to be one of the highest-paid players in the league, seeking a contract worth more than $100 million.

“(GM) Dave (Gettleman) said it already. Contracts will get done when they get done,” Shurmur said. “We are not worried about that. My experience with Odell has been that he wants to play football and he has been looking forward to getting out here. He isn’t quite finished with his rehab yet, so he can’t do everything totally.”

Even if Beckham continues to report to the remainder of OTAs and mandatory minicamp in June, a training camp holdout still looms as a possibility if negotiations fail to progress and could cause a distraction for the team.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” Shurmur said.

LANDON TAKES THE FIELD

Just a little over a month since Landon Collins underwent a second surgery on his forearm, he was already back on the field for a voluntary practice.

The Giants safety wore a red 21 no-contact jersey and participated in 7-on-7 drills and other non-contact drills during Tuesday’s OTA.

“He was out there competing in a limited basis,” Shurmur said. “He’s trying to do everything he can as he finishes up his rehab.”