Odell Beckham Jr. is set to miss the start of the 2024 NFL season with the Miami Dolphins. Beckham will begin the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and will be sidelined for at least the first four games. This absence means the star receiver will miss notable matchups against the Jaguars (Week 1), Bills (Week 2), Seahawks (Week 3), and Titans (Week 4). The soonest fans might see Beckham take the field would be on October 6, during the Dolphins' contest against the Patriots in Week 5, although there's growing speculation that Miami might opt to delay his return until their Week 7 home game against the Colts, especially given their Week 6 bye.
Beckham's absence from the Dolphins' training camp has been notable. He underwent an unspecified "offseason procedure" and has yet to practice with the team. Head Coach Mike McDaniel has been cautiously vague about the details, commenting, "TBD. TBD, more information to acquire." Despite this, McDaniel has expressed optimism about Beckham's influence on the team, stating, "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."
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has formed a bond with Beckham off the field, but acknowledges that their chemistry on the field is still an unknown quantity. "Off the field, I've been able to hang out with him [Beckham] a good amount of times. Cool dude, 100%," Tagovailoa shared. However, he also expressed uncertainty about how their relationship will translate during games, adding, "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."
Beckham's journey to Miami comes after a mixed 2023 season with the Baltimore Ravens. Early in the 2023 season, he was sidelined for two games due to an ankle injury but managed to return in time to play in both of the Ravens' playoff games. The specifics of his current injury remain murky, but it is clear that his return is much anticipated by Dolphins fans and the league alike.
The Dolphins are coming off a promising season and signing Beckham in May 2024 was viewed as a strategic move to bolster their offense. Yet, the lack of Beckham's presence in training camp has inevitably led to questions about how ready he will be when he finally steps onto the field. Added to this is the fact that Beckham has not yet had the opportunity to establish on-field chemistry with Tagovailoa, which is crucial for a wide receiver-quarterback duo.
The upcoming games without Beckham will test the Dolphins' depth and resilience. While McDaniel and his coaching staff have expressed confidence in their squad, the real measure will come when they face a challenging early season schedule. For now, all eyes will be on October 6, as fans hope to see Beckham's much-anticipated debut for the Miami Dolphins.