Odell Beckham Jr. is poised to make his long-anticipated return to the NFL this Sunday, debuting for the Miami Dolphins.
Activated from the physically unable to perform list on Saturday, the veteran receiver is set to start his first game of the season against New England.
The 31-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins in May but was sidelined for the first four games due to what he described as a “small cleanup” on his knee during the offseason.
Beckham mentioned that being placed on the PUP list was not his preference, but he felt it was ultimately the right choice for the team.
“For me, it was a selfless decision,” Beckham stated. “If I’m not on the PUP list, I’m occupying a roster spot that could go to someone else while I’m not contributing. That’s not a good feeling.”
He practiced for the first time on Thursday, aiming to get into game shape and help boost Miami’s struggling offense.
The Dolphins currently average only 11.3 points per game, the lowest in the league, along with 187.3 passing yards and 97.8 rushing yards. They’ve utilized four different quarterbacks due to injuries.
As a three-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion with the Los Angeles Rams, Beckham expressed how challenging it was to watch his team struggle from the sidelines.
“I would have preferred us to be 4-0 right now,” he said. “Then I’d feel like, ‘I can’t wait to get in,’ instead of feeling like I should have been out there fighting with them, win or lose.”