Will the Cowboys, Giants or Bills Sign an Injured Odell Beckham Jr.?

Odell Beckham Jr was once one of the most explosive receivers in the NFL, averaging 13.9 yards per reception in his career. But, after suffering a second ACL tear on his left knee in February, teams are questioning his health.

Beckham has gone on a free-agent tour with the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, and Dallas Cowboys. But, his most recent visit has raised red flags publicly.

According to our Pro Football Docs, Beckham’s original timeline to return from injury was a best-case scenario in mid-December. Still, after recent reports, he might need more time to prepare.

Odell has reportedly not been working out for teams. So, that makes his physical with the teams even more important. In this way, the role of the head team physician providing input based on the physical may be more important than anything they do on Sundays.

When Odell first tore his ACL in October 2020, the recovery was over a year. He didn’t start looking comfortable making sharp cuts until November. 

In six games with the Browns last season, he had 17 catches on 34 targets for 232 yards and 0 touchdowns. In 12 games with the Rams (including the playoffs), he had 48 catches on 74 targets for 593 yards and seven touchdowns. His dramatic improvement was recovery based, just as much as team-based.

Recoveries are usually quicker after a second ACL tear in the same knee, according to our panel of former NFL doctors. It shouldn't take him a year and a half to be healthy again, but it could take up to a full year, which would rule him out from playing for the Cowboys, Bills, and Giants in the playoffs.

The money Beckham is asking for is also vital in his signing. If he’s okay with a heavily protected, low-value deal, he could sign soon.

Still, it's too much to expect him to hit the ground running once he is signed.