The Minnesota Vikings have brought veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. onto their practice squad, giving their thin receiving group another experienced option while Justin Jefferson works through an ankle injury.
Minnesota announced Wednesday that Beckham and receiver Jeshaun Jones had joined the practice squad. Beckham, 33, arrives as the Vikings search for more production behind their top two wideouts and try to generate greater consistency with Kyler Murray at quarterback.
Beckham gets another opportunity
- Beckham earned a place on the New York Giants’ original 53-man roster after training camp in August.
- He appeared in three games for New York but did not record a reception, seeing one target across 20 offensive snaps.
- The Giants released Beckham after those three appearances.
- The Vikings added him to their practice squad on Wednesday, alongside Jeshaun Jones.
Vikings need depth at wide receiver
Jefferson injured his ankle in Week 3 and was inactive last Sunday, leaving Minnesota increasingly reliant on Jordan Addison. Addison has caught 11 of 22 targets for 163 yards and one touchdown.
No other Vikings wide receiver has more than two receptions this season. Jauan Jennings has had limited involvement after being banged up early in the year, while Myles Price has primarily made his impact on special teams. Tai Felton has one catch through four games.
Minnesota also has Michael Briscoe and Dillon Bell at wide receiver on its practice squad.
Connection with O’Connell
Beckham is familiar with Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell from their time with the Los Angeles Rams. O’Connell served as the Rams’ offensive coordinator in 2021, when Beckham helped Los Angeles win the Super Bowl.
Whether Beckham can still provide meaningful regular-season production remains uncertain, but Minnesota has given the former Super Bowl champion another route back to the active roster as its passing game looks for answers.
