Although the Miami Dolphins are without star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the team recently received positive news about another offensive weapon. Coach Mike McDaniel said Tuesday that Odell Beckham Jr.’s practice window will open this week and the wide receiver will return to practice after missing the start of the season with an undisclosed injury.
Beckham signed with the Dolphins in May, but hasn’t appeared in a game this year while on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Once the practice window opens for Beckham, the team will have 21 days to place him on the active roster or he’ll be reverted to the season-ending inactive list.
The last time the 31-year-old receiver suited up, he recorded three catches for 22 yards in the Baltimore Ravens’ 17-10 AFC championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
For the season (which marked his first since 2021 after a year-long rehabilitation from knee surgery), Beckham recorded 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns with the Ravens. He signed with Baltimore on a one-year deal in 2023 after a prolific start to his career with the New York Giants and stints with the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams.
Ideally, Beckham would serve as a third receiver for a Dolphins offense that features Tyreek Hill (1,799 yards last season) and Jaylen Waddle (1,014 yards in 2023). But Miami (1-3) is struggling without Tagovailoa, who is on injured reserve after suffering a concussion in Week 2.
McDaniel said Tuesday the Dolphins are planning to give quarterback Tyler Huntley his second straight start for Miami’s game against the New England Patriots (1-3) on Sunday. Huntley started in Miami’s loss to the Tennessee Titans (1-3) on Monday with backup Skylar Thompson injured in addition to Tagovailoa, but Huntley struggled in the loss, finishing with 96 yards on 14-of-22 passing.
With the Dolphins lacking a reliable option at quarterback, even if Beckham has something to offer upon his return, getting opportunities to make plays may prove challenging.
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