Odell Beckham Jr. Returns to Giants for Preseason Opener: Roster Battle Heats Up

On Saturday, August 15, the New York Giants hosted the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium in the first game of the 2026 preseason. Veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. entered the contest in a Giants uniform for the first time since his previous stint with the team. In the 13-10 loss, Beckham recorded two receptions for six yards, catching passes on three targets and drawing a warm ovation from the sparsely attended crowd. The performance added a tangible data point to his ongoing effort to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

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Beckham was selected No. 12 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft and spent his first five seasons with the Giants, earning three Pro Bowl selections and a 2014 Offensive Rookie of the Year award. After a trade to the Cleveland Browns in 2019, he later played for the Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, and Miami Dolphins. He missed the entire 2025 season, then signed a one-year free-agent deal with New York on June 1, 2026, reuniting with head coach John Harbaugh, who coached him in Baltimore during the 2023 season.

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• Preseason debut (Aug 15): 2 receptions, 6 yards, 0 touchdowns.

Newsweek

• 2024 with Miami: 9 games, 55 receiving yards.

Odell Beckham Jr. to play in the Giants' preseason opener vs. the Vikings, John Harbaugh says

• 2023 with Baltimore: 35 receptions, 565 yards, 3 touchdowns in 14 games (6 starts).

Reporter Explains Why Odell Beckham Jr. Likely Won’t Make New York Giants Roster

• Depth-chart competition: Listed as the team’s No. 3 wide receiver in some reports; competing with Braxton Berrios, Dalen Cambre, Jalin Hyatt, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Darnell Mooney, and rookie Malachi Fields for the final roster spots.

Reporter Explains Why Odell Beckham Jr. Likely Won’t Make New York Giants Roster

• Roster deadline: Final cuts are scheduled for August 30, 2026.

Reporter Explains Why Odell Beckham Jr. Likely Won’t Make New York Giants Roster

Backup quarterback Jameis Winston praised Beckham’s work ethic, calling him “hungry for more” and expressing excitement about hearing the crowd roar if Beckham scores a touchdown.

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Duggan notes that without special-teams utility, Beckham must secure a WR 3/4 role to justify a roster spot, a hurdle he has not yet cleared.

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Sources differ on Beckham’s exact placement on the depth chart. *Sports Illustrated* and *NorthJersey* list him as the team’s No. Additionally, Harbaugh declined to confirm whether starting quarterback Jaxson Dart will target Beckham in the preseason opener, leaving the quarterback-receiver pairing uncertain.

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• “It was everything I was expecting it to be,” — Odell Beckham, chance to witness — Odell Beckham, chance to witness

New York Post

• “I’m looking forward to seeing him play,” — John Harbaugh, head coach — John Harbaugh, head coach

Odell Beckham Jr. to play in the Giants' preseason opener vs. the Vikings, John Harbaugh says

• “The former Giants star’s homecoming has mostly been quiet. Beckham doesn’t look washed up, but he’s not making plays in training camp, either,” — Dan Duggan, of The Athletic — Dan Duggan, of The Athletic

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• “Beckham is listed on the third string along with three other wideouts,” — Football Talk’s Josh Alper — Football Talk’s Josh Alper

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The Giants will evaluate Beckham’s performance over the remaining two preseason games before the roster cut deadline on August 30, 2026. To secure a spot, he must demonstrate consistent route running, reliable catching, and, if possible, contribute on special teams—a factor highlighted by multiple analysts.

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