Vikings Elevate OBJ for Saints Game, Status Uncertain — SkimNews
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- Minnesota Vikings elevated Odell Beckham Jr. from their practice squad for Sunday's game at the New Orleans Saints, but coach Kevin O'Connell said the team hasn't yet decided whether Beckham will be active, a source confirmed Saturday.
- O'Connell said Friday that Beckham's status depends on the health of receivers Justin Jefferson (sprained left ankle) and Jordan Addison; both were listed as questionable after limited practice last week.
- Beckham, 33, was signed Wednesday after Jefferson suffered the ankle sprain in Week 3 and missed Week 4, while No. 3 receiver Jauan Jennings had recorded just two catches on four targets in his first Vikings season.
- The Vikings also elevated receiver Jeshaun Jones from the practice squad and start 4-0 despite an offense that has ranked among the NFL's worst this season.
- O'Connell recalled Beckham appeared in a game just three days after signing with the Los Angeles Rams during the 2021 season, when O'Connell was the Rams' offensive coordinator, adding: "I've seen him do it before."
- Beckham played 19 snaps across three games with the Giants this season without recording a catch, having not played in the NFL since catching just nine passes for 54 yards with the Dolphins in 2024; he has 575 career catches for 7,987 yards and 59 touchdowns across stints with the Giants, Browns, and Ravens.
Why it matters: With Jefferson's Week 3 ankle sprain still threatening his availability and Addison also questionable, the Vikings' Saturday decision is a real depth test: activate a 33-year-old with zero catches this season, lean on fellow practice-squad call-up Jeshaun Jones, or risk further straining a passing game already ranked among the league's worst despite a 4-0 start.
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