Giants Release Odell Beckham Jr. After Zero Catches in Three Games

The New York Giants are releasing wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. after three games and zero catches in his second stint with the club, CBS Sports and the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

Beckham played about 20 offensive snaps across the three games and was targeted once — a deep ball from Jameis Winston in the first quarter of Sunday’s 12-7 win over the Tennessee Titans at MetLife Stadium, where he appeared on only six snaps, both outlets noted. Fans chanted “OBJ” during that game as the 33-year-old sat behind Malik Nabers, Darnell Mooney, and rookie Malachi Fields on the depth chart.

Selected by New York with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2014 draft, Beckham ranks second in Giants franchise history with 5,476 receiving yards (behind Amani Toomer) and fourth with 44 receiving touchdowns, CBS Sports reported. His nostalgic return after more than a year away from the league lasted only long enough to make the final 53 before the snap count dried up.

The Giants are expected to sign return specialist Braxton Berrios to the active roster as the corresponding move after Berrios exhausted practice-squad elevations, the AP and CBS Sports noted. Edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux wished Beckham well, calling him “a legend in the game,” per the AP. Jordan Schultz reported Beckham will not return to the practice squad and is looking for a chance to play elsewhere.

The release lands in a busy Giants week that also included Monday’s trade for quarterback J.J. McCarthy from Minnesota for a fifth-round pick, the AP reported. Coach John Harbaugh said Winston will start Sunday against Arizona, with McCarthy or Jake Haener as the backup.

For NFL readers on Sports, Beckham’s second New York chapter ends the same way his first eventually did — with a parting of ways, this time after three games and no catches. Verified as of Sept. 29 reports: Giants releasing OBJ; 0 catches, 1 target, ~20 snaps in three games; drafted No. 12 in 2014; ~5,476 receiving yards (franchise 2nd); fans chanted OBJ vs. Titans; Berrios expected active-roster move; McCarthy acquired Monday. Where — or whether — he lands next will be the next storyline.