New York Giants rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has been largely sidelined since June with a hamstring injury. He could make his debut against the Falcons on Sunday since he's practiced all week. Meanwhile, the Texans could be without running back Arian Foster for the second time this season.
Beckham was selected 12th overall by the New York Giants this past May and he was expected to make an immediate impact in offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo's West Coast system. But the rookie receiver has remained on the sidelines for the entire preseason and regular season, leaving many wondering about his potential in the NFL.
But Beckham returned to practice this week, which marked the first full week he participated in the team's practices all season. Although he was a limited participant, it was the most action he's seen with the team since OTAs in June. Head coach Tom Coughlin, who has been frustrated with Beckham's absence, admitted this week that the wide receiver is part of Sunday's game plan. McAdoo told reporters Sunday will be Beckham's "first game action."
"He's been in every meeting," said Coughlin, in this NJ.com article, on Wednesday. "I would expect him to know everything. I wouldn't shy away from that. He's demonstrated an ability to handle whatever's thrown at him. He's done that throughout, so I would expect that. Now, under fire with adjustments and signals and things of that nature, we've got to see where we are with regard to that, too."
Based on his progress in returning from his injury, it's likely we'll see Beckham in doses on Sunday, primarily in three wide receiver sets with Victor Cruz and Reuben Randle. He'll probably split reps with wide receiver Preston Parker, who has gotten more playing time ever since Jerel Jernigan was placed on injured reserve.
In Houston, the Texans are dealing with Arian Foster's hamstring issue, and it's probably affecting how they go about their game plan. Foster has been one of the league's best running backs over the past few years, but injuries have slowed him down in 2013 and apparently now in 2014. After rushing for 103 yards against the Redskins in Week 1 and then 138 yards against the Raiders in Week 2, Foster was inactive against the Giants in Week 3 and rushed for just six yards on eight carries against the Bills in Week 4.
Following his rushing performance against Buffalo, Foster admitted he wasn't 100% healthy, which raises eyebrows for his status for this week's game against the Dallas Cowboys. He returned to practice on Thursday, but was limited, and then reiterated he's going to see how his hamstring feels in the next few days before decides if he'll play.
This is bad news for fantasy owners, but even worse for the Texans, who will need Foster moving forward if they want to win more games with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center.
