Jaguars' game vs. Dolphins looking easier in light of the Odell Beckham Jr. update
The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to face the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL regular season. The game is looking easier by the day. Already, the Phins were expected to be without edge rusher Bradley Chubb and probably All-Star wide receiver Tyreek Hill too. It's now been confirmed that former Pro Bowl nod Odell Beckham Jr. won't be available for the opener.
Ahead of the cutdown deadline on August 27, the Dolphins placed Beckham on the Physically Unable to Perform list. This means that there's a 100 percent certainty that he'll sit out at least the first four games of the season. This includes their matchup in Week 1 against Jacksonville.
The news doesn't come as a surprise, though. Beckham missed training camp and sat out all three preseason bouts. The former first-round pick underwent a procedure earlier this year, so Miami knew there was a chance he would miss time. Although he showed progress throughout the offseason, they want to err on the side of caution and bring him along slowly.
The #Dolphins will start Odell Beckham Jr on PUP, per me and @TomPelissero.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 27, 2024
When Miami signed him in May, they were aware this was possibility, due to an offseason procedure he had. OBJ has worked hard, but MIA felt the best path was to ease him in. It’s a long-term decision. pic.twitter.com/YiROpHqnjX
Beckham was the 12th overall pick in 2014. He spent his first five NFL seasons with the New York Giants and was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2019. The former LSU Tiger was once again dealt in 2021, this time to the Los Angeles Rams. He played a key role in their Super Bowl run and even caught a key pass in the championship game. However, he suffered an ACL injury during the bout that forced him to miss the 2022 season.
After a one-year hiatus, Beckham signed with the Baltimore Ravens. He ended up suiting up for 14 games with six starts, hauling in 35 receptions for 565 yards with three touchdowns. He became a free agent earlier this year and proceeded to sign with the Phins.
You can add Odell Beckham Jr. to the list of players the Jaguars won't face in Week 1
You cannot take a matchup for granted, but the Jacksonville Jaguars should feel good about their chances heading into Week 1. After all, they'll be facing a depleted Miami Dolphins team that will be without several key contributors.
It would be one thing if the Phins were missing just one or two players but they'll be without a handful of them. Compounding the issue is that they've suffered several injuries at wide receiver. Besides Odell Beckham Jr., Jaylen Waddle has also dealt with an injury.
If that wasn't enough, Miami placed Willie Snead and Anthony Schwartz on Injured Reserve earlier this year, so it's fair to say that their wide receiver corps won't be a full strength when they face the Jaguars in the opener. This, in turn, will offer a favorable matchup to the Jacksonville secondary.
Tyson Campbell is back at full strength after dealing with injuries last year. Ronald Darby has been a stud throughout the offseason, and Jarrian Jones is further in his development than the team's brass envisioned.
Winning in the NFL is no task, and you must never underestimate your opponents. But based on talent and injuries, the Jacksonville Jaguars are in a position to get their first win of the year when they play the Dolphins.
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