WESTFIELD, Ind. — Are you ready for some futbol?
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is known for and has put on display his athleticism and ability to make the impossible seem ordinary on the football field, and apparently, he is just as adept on the soccer pitch.
During a drill in the individual period of Thursday’s practice, the second of two joint sessions with the Indianapolis Colts at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana, a pass for Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins came rolling into Beckham Jr., and he channeled his inner Lionel Messi by kicking it back up to his hands before continuing his work.
Midway through the footwork portion of the drill, Beckham Jr. saw the ball roll into his path and effortlessly used his feet to elevate the ball from the ground, catch it, toss it back to Higgins and finish off the play with a reception.
Although Beckham Jr. has been active in the individual position drills, as well as light seven-on-seven work with quarterback Baker Mayfield, but because of a hip issue, he was held out of the team periods during both of the joint practices with the Colts this week.
“I feel good. Feel great,” Beckham Jr. said of his status after Thursday’s practice. “It’s just preseason. There’s no point in trying to push anything right now. We play September 8, so that’s all you really get ready for.
“It’s nothing. I’ve been in this position before, headlines get made and there’s just so much good stuff going on with this team, so many players who are out here practicing and they are competing and it’s enjoyable for me to be able to be out there with them and be able to sit there and watch and learn the plays and see these guys compete.”