John Harbaugh suggests Sunday is the ideal time for Odell Beckham Jr. to increase his role with the Giants
The veteran receiver has played minimal snaps through the first two games of the season.
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh expressed optimism about Odell Beckham Jr.'s potential to play a larger role in Sunday's game against the Titans. "I would think Sunday would be great," Harbaugh stated. "I would be all for it for Sunday. That would be the perfect time, in my mind. So, I hope that happens this Sunday."
Through the first two games of the season, Beckham has been a limited participant on offense, playing just 11 of 69 snaps in the season opener against the Cowboys and only three of 58 snaps in the loss to the Rams. In total, he has been on the field for 14 of 127 offensive plays, with zero targets for passes.
This limited involvement comes after significant effort was dedicated to chronicling Beckham's status during the spring and summer and to him making the Giants' 53-man roster. The 33-year-old receiver missed the entire previous season.
Veteran receivers Malachi Fields, Darnell Mooney, and Malik Nabers currently lead the team in offensive snaps. Nabers, who is recovering from ACL surgery, was on a snap restriction in Week 1 and experienced a shoulder dislocation last week, but he practiced fully this week and his workload is not expected to be impacted.
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy acknowledged the situation, stating, "We’re trying to probably slowly package him in some things offensively. So, it’s not that he’s just a backup. There are some times when, whatever it is personnel-wise, that we have it on the game plan. We just didn’t get to it. Or, ‘Hey, you’ve got to be ready. One injury away from being in all the time.’ And he knows that."
On the defensive side, the Giants have faced challenges with their pass rush, as edge rushers Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux have drawn extra blocking attention. The team has recorded only one sack in two games, with Carter being responsible for that sack against Matthew Stafford last week. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson stated that the team needs to implement different strategies.
"You’ve got to have a better chip game plan, OK, and not just always straight rush," Wilson said. "There’s other ways that we can get to the quarterback. And we have some answers, and hopefully it shows this week."
Adding to the defensive concerns, Burns (ankle), cornerback Deonte Banks (calf), and safety Tyler Nubin (calf) are all listed as questionable for the upcoming game. Burns has not missed a game since joining the Giants in 2024, having started 36 consecutive games.