One day after Freddie Kitchens confirmed that Odell Beckham Jr. was dealing with a hip injury, the star wideout was ready to put the fans at ease.
Speaking with the media after the Browns second day of joint practices with the Colts out in Westfield, Ind. OBJ vowed that he’d be ready for the team’s season opener against the Titans on Sept. 8.
“I feel good. I feel great,” Beckham said. “It is just preseason. There is no point in trying to push it right now. We play September 8 and that is all you really get ready for.”
Of course, fans were likely hoping to see Odell Beckham Jr. take the field at least once before that in one of the remaining preseason games. Beckham Jr. The receiver couldn’t confirm or deny if he’ll play in the preseason.
“I have no idea. When coach Freddie (Kitchens) gets up here, you’ll have to ask him,” Beckham Jr. said. “Him and the training staff have done a great job of figuring out a game plan exactly what we want to do, so I’m just following their lead.”
When the media did finally speak to Kitchens, his response was similarly vague.
“I’m not going to discuss [the plan],” he asserted. “We have not decided yet, [if he’ll play Saturday[. He probably could play, though.”
That’s a good sign, but the fact that Beckham Jr. is dealing with an injury at all could be enough to warrant withholding him from action this weekend and beyond. The 26-yeard old has missed significant time over the first five years of his career due to injury; 21 games in total, including four last year and 12 in 2017.
Regardless, OBJ doesn’t seem too concerned with this latest ailment to his hip.
“It’s nothing,” he said. “I’ve been in this position before, headlines get made and there’s just so much good stuff going on with this team, so many players who are out here practicing and they are competing and it’s enjoyable for me to be able to be out there with them and be able to sit there and watch and learn the plays and see these guys compete. So for me, it’s like I don’t want to focus so much on me. I’m good.”
There also seems to be little concern from the three-time Pro Bowler and Kitchens over his ability to build chemistry with the offense and, more importantly, Baker Mayfield.
“I think he will make the team if that’s what you’re asking,” Kitchens joked. “I am not worried about Odell at all. He will be ready to go mentally and physically. He will be ready to go.”
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