Odell Beckham Jr. Remains on Minnesota Vikings Practice Squad Ahead of Week 8
Odell Beckham Jr.’s effort to resurrect his NFL career is still waiting for its next chapter. The veteran wide receiver, who once ranked among the most dynamic playmakers in the league, remains on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad after the team declined to elevate him for the Week 8 matchup against the Detroit Lions. The decision leaves Beckham Jr. in a familiar holding pattern: eligible for game-day activation, but not yet called upon.
Beckham Jr.’s path to Minnesota has been uneven at best. After a disappointing 2024 stint with the Miami Dolphins that ended with his release before the season concluded, he entered 2025 unsigned and carried a six-game NFL suspension for a performance-enhancing-violation. The New York Giants offered a lifeline this offseason, signing him to a one-year contract and giving him a chance to earn a roster spot during training camp and the preseason.
A Short and Unproductive Return to the New York Giants
The reunion with the Giants did not last long. Although Beckham Jr. impressed enough during the preseason to make the initial 53-man roster, the regular season produced almost nothing. He appeared in three games, was targeted only once, and finished without a reception. New York released him shortly afterward, ending a brief and forgettable second chapter with the franchise.
The team’s decision was delivered without much ambiguity. New York’s coaching staff indicated after the release that the arrangement simply was not working and that keeping Beckham Jr. on the field would not have made the roster better.
Vikings Elevate Beckham Jr. Once, Then Hold Steady
After his release, Beckham Jr. joined the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad. Minnesota elevated him to the active roster for the Week 5 game against the New Orleans Saints, but he was inactive and did not play. Ahead of Week 8 against Detroit, the Vikings again chose not to elevate him, meaning Beckham Jr. has remained on the practice squad since that brief Week 5 call-up.
| Team | Stint | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | 2024 regular season | Released before the season concluded |
| New York Giants | 2025 offseason and preseason | Signed to one-year deal; released after three regular-season games without a catch |
| Minnesota Vikings | 2025 season to date | Practice squad; one game-day elevation (Week 5, inactive) |
How NFL Practice Squad Elevation Rules Affect His Future
Minnesota’s caution is partly explained by NFL roster rules. A practice squad player can be elevated to the active roster for a maximum of three regular-season games in the same league year. After that, any further elevation requires the team to add the player to the 53-man active/inactive list. The Vikings would then have to waive or terminate his contract before re-signing him to the practice squad, at which point the three-game elevation clock resets.
Beckham Jr. has used one of those three elevations. He has two remaining before Minnesota must either commit to him on the 53-man roster or move on entirely.
Kevin O’Connell Praises Beckham Jr.’s Practice Week Approach
“He’s on our practice squad. He’s doing great. We’ll kind of deem that week in and week out based upon whether we elevate him or not and get him going.”
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has spoken favorably about Beckham Jr.’s professionalism since joining the organization. O’Connell noted that Beckham Jr. was ready to play against the Saints in Week 5 if needed and suggested that same readiness would carry forward. Still, praise in practice has not yet translated into game-day snaps.
What Comes Next for the Former Pro Bowl Receiver
For a player of Beckham Jr.’s pedigree—a three-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl champion—the current situation is a humbling one. His limited production with the Giants and inactivity during his only Vikings elevation raise legitimate questions about how much he has left at this stage of his career. Yet the NFL can turn quickly, especially at wide receiver, where injuries and roster churn create opportunities throughout the season.
With two practice-squad elevations still available, Beckham Jr. remains just one phone call away from Minnesota’s active roster. Whether that call comes before the Vikings’ roster decisions become final will likely depend on health, matchups, and how much the coaching staff believes he can still contribute on Sundays.
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