Odell Beckham Jr. Set to Miss Start of 2024 Season with Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins fans will have to wait a bit longer to see wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in action. The star player, who was signed by the Dolphins in May 2024, will miss the start of the upcoming season as he has been placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Beckham is slated to be sidelined for at least the first four games of the season, marking his potential return no earlier than October 6 when the Dolphins face the New England Patriots in Week 5.
Beckham's absence means he will miss key games against the Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 1), Buffalo Bills (Week 2), Seattle Seahawks (Week 3), and Tennessee Titans (Week 4). There's speculation that the Dolphins might opt to delay Beckham’s return until Week 7 for a home game against the Indianapolis Colts, particularly given their scheduled bye in Week 6.
Unspecified Offseason Procedure
Details surrounding Beckham’s current condition remain unclear. What is known is that he underwent an unspecified "offseason procedure," which has prevented him from participating in any training camp activities. This comes after a 2023 season with the Baltimore Ravens, where Beckham missed two early games due to an ankle injury but eventually returned to play in the Ravens' two playoff games.
Dolphins' head coach, Mike McDaniel, remains tight-lipped about specific details but did comment on Beckham’s situation, stating, "TBD. TBD, more information to acquire." McDaniel’s approach appears to be careful and methodical, ensuring that Beckham will only return to the field when he is fully ready.
Leadership Off the Field
Despite his absence on the field, Beckham has found ways to contribute to the team. McDaniel praised his presence, saying, "He's found a way to be a leader of sorts without playing. That's tough to do, but his mindset is right, so I feel good about that." Evidently, Beckham's influence in the locker room is notable, even as he battles to regain his fitness.
Further emphasizing Beckham’s impact, Dolphins' quarterback Tua Tagovailoa shared his personal experiences with Beckham. "Off the field, I've been able to hang out with him a good amount of times. Cool dude, 100%," revealed Tagovailoa. Yet, he also pointed out the challenges of translating off-field rapport into on-field chemistry. "But does that translate? Does our relationship translate on the field? I couldn't tell you because I haven't gotten reps with him. And that's just the honest truth."
Awaiting Beckham's Return
The anticipation surrounding Beckham's debut with the Dolphins is palpable. The team, fresh off a promising season, hopes that adding Beckham to their roster will fortify their offensive capabilities. However, Beckham's ability to mesh with Tagovailoa and the rest of the offense remains an open question, especially since he has yet to practice with the team.
The Dolphins signed Beckham in the hope of leveraging his elite playmaking abilities to push them further in the postseason. But for now, that vision is temporarily on hold as the team navigates the early part of the season without one of their key acquisitions.
As Beckham works his way back from his offseason procedure, McDaniel and the Dolphins’ staff will undoubtedly handle his situation with the utmost caution, ensuring that his eventual return will be both impactful and sustainable. In the meantime, Dolphins fans will be eagerly watching and waiting, counting down the days until Beckham can finally don the Miami uniform and make his much-anticipated debut.