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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will undergo surgery for his torn ACL on November 10.
That is according to NFL Network’s Kim Jones, who apparently received the news from Beckham himself on Friday during a live segment of the NFL Now television show:
Odell Beckham Jr tells me he will have surgery to repair his ACL on November 10. He sounded optimistic & in good spirits when we spoke. Another comeback awaits. @obj #Browns
— Kim Jones (@KimJonesSports) November 6, 2020
A great ending to NFL Now: As we’re doing our One More Thing segment, Odell Beckham facetimed @KimJonesSports and she had to leave to take the call. Live TV is the best.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 6, 2020
With an expected recovery time of nine to 12 months from an ACL injury, the November 10 surgery date puts Beckham on track to be able to rejoin the Browns in mid-August of next year. So if you are a Browns fan holding onto a fantasy that Beckham would be back for the team’s possible playoff game in January it is probably time to reset your expectations.
Beckham injured his left knee on Cleveland’s second offensive play of the Week 7 game against the Cincinnati Bengals while making an awkward tackle attempt following an interception by quarterback Baker Mayfield. He finished his second season in Cleveland with 23 receptions for 319 yards and three touchdown receptions, plus a rushing touchdown.
There has been continual speculation since the game against the Bengals that the injury signals the end of Beckham’s tenure with the Browns. But his contract includes a $12.97 million guarantee against injury that kicks in if he is on Cleveland’s roster at the start of the league year in March, which is going to happen since he will still be rehabilitating his injury.
On Wednesday, general manager Andrew Berry shot down the idea that Beckham has played his last game in Cleveland, according to The Beacon Journal’s Nate Ulrich:
“Odell is one of the best receivers in the NFL. He played really good football for us before he was injured. He’s done a fantastic job with his teammates at practice. He’s embraced the organization. He’s under contract for multiple years. So our focus with Odell is making sure he recovers from the ACL tear. We want him to be healthy and ready to go next year. But we’re pleased with him.”
The outside noise that surrounds OBJ will likely never quiet. For now, the only certainty is that he is having surgery next week, we won’t see him on the field until just before the start of next season at the earliest, and that he will likely remain a member of the Browns for a number of reasons.