The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Beckham on mend from core muscle surgery
Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. on Jan. 21 underwent surgery to repair a core muscle injury that has bothered him since August, the team announced.
The Browns said the surgery performed by Dr. Bill Meyers in Philadelphia was successful. Beckham is expected to be 100% by the start of the Browns’ offseason program in April. Whether he participates in the offseason program, which is voluntary, is another matter.
Beckham skipped most of the OTAs (offseason training activities) last spring.
The injury, similar to a sports hernia, prevented him from participating in the 2019 preseason and limited his ability to practice on a regular basis during the regular season.
Beckham played in all 16 games in 2019 and caught 74 passes for 1,035 yards and four touchdowns.
Beckham near the end of the season vowed 2020 will be better for himself and the Browns. He was acquired in March 2019 from the Giants in a trade that sent picks 17 and 95 in the 2019 draft plus safety Jabrill Peppers to New York.
At one point in the season, stories surfaced that Beckham wanted to be traded.
That might still happen under the Browns’ new regime — they are looking for a general manager — but Beckham says he wants to be with the Browns in 2020.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “I’ll be here. We’ll figure this thing out. It’s just too special to leave. It’s done. Just put it to bed. I’m going to be here. There’s nothing more to talk about.”
The surgery performed by Meyers had been anticipated.
Running back Kareem Hunt underwent similar surgery last year and missed eight weeks.