Beckham ‘pretty close’ to a full return

Odell Beckham Jr. was not in attendance Tuesday as the Giants took the field for their fourth organized team activity practice of the spring. Beckham has not yet been cleared for a full workload coming off a fractured left ankle, but the day to turn him loose is coming soon. “Pretty close ,’’ was the way head coach Pat Shurmur put it. “My experience with Odell has been that he wants to play football and he has been looking forward to getting out here,’’ Shurmur said. “He isn’t quite f inished with his rehab yet, so he can’t do everything totally.’’

Safety Landon Collins, coming off a second surgery to repair a fractured forearm, is also not yet cleared, but he is making progress. He was on the field participating in noncontact seven-on-seven drills. Shurmur said he is “hopeful’’ Collins is fully cleared in time for training camp in late July.

Shurmur said he knew in advance Beckham and CB Jan or is Jenkins would not be at Tuesday’s voluntary practice. … DT

Damon Harrison was in attendance after missing the first three OTA sessions.

Shurmur was pleased his team got a taste of summer, with the temperature close to 90 degrees.

“I told the players that we want to build a gritty team that can overcome the environment, and this is the first they had a little bit of heat and I think it was good, they pushed through it,’’ he said. “Just one more step closer to being a good football team.’’

All it takes is one look at rookie RB Saquon Bar

kley to realize there is something different about him. “If you look at his legs, it’s like tree trunks, so I can imagine how hard it is to tackle that guy,’’ receiver

Sterling Shepard said. … Ereck Flowers continues to line up with the starters on the offensive line as he acclimates to his new position, right tackle. “He’s actually done a really good job,’’ Shurmur said. “He’s an excellent athlete and he’s handling the move pretty seamlessly.’’ Reports surfaced Flowers stayed away from the first month of the offseason program because he was upset about having to move to the right side. “He’s been great,’’ Shurmur said of Flowers’ attitude. “He’s been communicating well, he looks like he’s having fun playing out there, he’s worked in with the offensive line and he’s done everything we’ve asked and I anticipate that will continue.’’ … CB Eli

Apple last week admitted he was embarrassed about his 2017 season. “I think that it speaks to maturity and it speaks to owning successes and failures,’’ Shurmur said.