The Record (Troy, NY)

Giants’ Beckham: ‘Back in love with what I’ve always loved’

- By Larry Lage

ALLEN PARK, MICH. » Odell Beckham Jr. looks as if he has fully recovered from ankle surgery.

The New York Giants star receiver sounds like it, too.

“Just to be back in the swing of things, I just feel like I’m back in love with what I’ve always loved,” he said Thursday.

Giants coach Pat Shurmur declined to say if Beckham would play in his first preseason game Friday night against the Detroit Lions .

“I’ve got a plan,” he said. “It will get revealed.”

The 25-year-old Beckhambro­ke his left ankle nearly 10 months ago, putting his short and stellar career in jeopardy. At the Lions’ training facility, there seemed no doubt Beckham is nearly healthy.

He ran sprints and made sharp cuts on his own, testing his ankle. The three-time Pro Bowler effortless­ly made one-handed catches during drills. He also appeared to run full-speed routs against Detroit defensive backs, including All-Pro cornerback Darius Slay .

“I’ve been going against Slay since Mississipp­i State,” said Beckham, a former LSU star. “Every time I see him, it’s always good energy. Obviously, he’s been one of the best corners in the league.”

And when healthy, Beckham is one of the NFL’s best receivers.

He averaged 96 catches, 1,374 yards receiving and nearly 12 touchdowns per year over his first three seasons. His last season was cut short in the fourth game, lim-

lessly made one- handed

catches during drills. He also appeared to run fullspeed routs against Detroit defensive backs, including All-Pro cornerback Darius Slay .

“I ’ ve been going against Slay since Mississipp­i State,” said Beckham, a former LSU star. “Every time I see him, it’s always good energy. Ob-

viously, he’s been one of the best corners in the league.”

And when healthy, Beckham is one of the NFL’s best receivers.

 ?? BILL KOSTROUN — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Thursday in East Rutherford, N.J.
BILL KOSTROUN — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Thursday in East Rutherford, N.J.

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