CLEVELAND — While Odell Beckham Jr. will make his 2021 debut on Sunday, the Cleveland Browns will have to wait for their next look at their dynamic receiving duo from LSU. Last week, Beckham's former college and current Browns teammate Jarvis Landry suffered a sprained MCL, which will require him to miss at least the next three weeks after being placed on injured reserve.
As a result, Beckham's first game since suffering a torn ACL in Week 7 of the 2020 season will come without his close friend and teammate on the field. Nevertheless, the three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver made sure that Landry was with him in some way on Sunday, wearing a t-shirt paying tribute to his fellow former LSU Tiger in pregame warmups.
In making his 2021 debut, Beckham will be looking to help replace some of the production left behind by Landry, who led the Browns with 72 receptions for 840 yards and three touchdowns last season. Speaking to reporters earlier this week, Beckham discussed his journey toward appearing in what will be his first NFL game in more than 11 months.
“We are just taking it day by day. A long time ago before the season even came out, the original plan – before even seeing the schedule – was 11 months post-op. Now I am at right around 10 and a half [months]. The progression started, and I started to progress faster and faster,” Beckham said. “Like I said, I am just following God’s plan. He put me in a good place to be here right now. Like I said, It is just a day by day process.”