AROUND THE NFL
Giants: Odell Beckham Jr. said he spoke with his teammates before Sunday’s loss to the Panthers to clear the air over comments he made last week. Beckham had talked about quarterback Eli Manning and why the team isn’t throwing the ball downfield or playing with more energy. He said after the game that “sometimes stuff comes off the wrong way” and that “words can be portrayed in any kind of light.” Beckham had eight catches for 131 yards and a touchdown. He also threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Saquon Barkley after receiving a lateral from Manning.
Panthers: Eric Reid called his return to the NFL “bittersweet,” saying it still hurts that his friend Colin Kaepernick has been “robbed” of his dream to play again in the NFL. While the safety is back in the league playing for the Panthers, Kaepernick remains a free agent. Reid, who was signed as a free agent by the Panthers on Sept. 27, continued his tradition of kneeling during the national anthem before the game.
Dolphins: Jakeem Grant’s 70-yard punt return made him the first Dolphin to score on a reception, a kickoff return and a punt return in the same season. He had a 102-yard kickoff return against the Titans in the opener. Grant joins Dante Hall (2003) as the only NFL players with a 100-yard kickoff return, a 70-yard punt return and a 50-yard touchdown catch in the same season. The last NFL player with a touchdown of all three varieties was the Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill in 2016.
Browns: Rookie cornerback Denzel Ward continues to dazzle. The No. 4 overall draft pick intercepted the Ravens’ Joe Flacco in the first half and then blocked Justin Tucker’s 48-yard field-goal attempt on the final play of the first half. Ward has three interceptions this season, and he’s impressed his teammates with his toughness. “The dude was everywhere again,” Browns defensive end Myles Garrett said.
Notable injuries: Jets CB Buster Skrine (concussion); Broncos CB Adam Jones (leg); Browns WR Rashard Higgins (knee); Titans LT Taylor Lewan (foot); Dolphins LT Laremy Tunsil (concussion); Jaguars RB Corey Grant (foot), LT Josh Wells (groin); Chiefs LB Justin Houston (hamstring), RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (fractured fibia); Packers LB Nick Perry (ankle), CB Kevin King (chin); Lions RB Kerryon Johnson (ankle), CB Teez Tabor (groin), CB Jamal Agnew (knee); Vikings LT Riley Reiff (foot); Eagles S Corey Graham (hamstring); Rams WR Brandin Cooks (concussion), WR Cooper Kupp (concussion); Cardinals OL Mike Iupati (shoulder), OL Andre Smith (hamstring); 49ers RB Matt Breida (ankle).