Vikings Sign Practice Squad WR: Odell Beckham Jr. Joins Minnesota

Odell Beckham Jr. signed with the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad on Wednesday, following his release by the New York Giants on September 29.

Beckham records few snaps after returning to Giants

The 33-year-old wide receiver initially joined the New York Giants in June, setting up a reunion with the franchise that drafted him 12th overall in 2014. Beckham played his first five seasons with the team. He made the 53-man roster ahead of the season, but it quickly became apparent that he was not going to be a major part of the offensive game plan. Beckham played in three games after returning to the franchise and did not record a single reception. He logged a total of 19 offensive snaps with the Giants, while other reports specified a total of 20 offensive snaps, including just six in his final appearance—a 12-7 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 3.

The decision to part ways was mutual as Beckham pursued a larger role elsewhere. Before returning to New York this season, Beckham sat out the entire 2025 campaign. In 2024, he logged limited repetitions with the Miami Dolphins, catching nine passes for 54 yards. His most recent sustained production came in 2023 with the Baltimore Ravens, where he hauled in 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns.

Reuniting with Familiar Staff in Minnesota

In Minnesota, Beckham joins an offense that has started 4-0 despite ranking among the National Football League’s worst, per ESPN. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was Beckham’s offensive coordinator in 2021 when the Los Angeles Rams won Super Bowl LVI. During eight regular-season games with the Rams, Beckham recorded 27 receptions for 305 yards and five touchdowns, adding 21 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns in the postseason before tearing his ACL in the Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals. Beckham also played for Vikings assistant head coach Frank Smith during their tenure together with the Dolphins in 2024.

The addition of Beckham provides depth while star wide receiver Justin Jefferson nurses a sprained left ankle. Jefferson suffered the injury in Week 3, missed the Week 4 win over the Miami Dolphins, and remains questionable for a Week 5 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell stated on Tuesday that Jefferson was doing great, though the team remained uncertain about his availability for Sunday. The Vikings previously signed veteran Jauan Jennings to fill the No. 3 receiver role behind Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but Jennings missed one game for personal reasons and has caught just two passes for nine yards on four targets across three games.

Alongside Beckham, the Vikings also signed wide receiver Jeshaun Jones to the practice squad on Wednesday. Beckham will initially work out of the practice squad as he seeks to regain the form that produced 575 career catches for 7,987 yards and 59 touchdowns.

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