It was this time last week when Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski didn't hesitate to rule star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. out for the home opener against the Houston Texans as Beckham continues his recovery from the torn ACL he suffered Oct. 25 of last year.
Stefanski didn't deliver a repeat performance on Wednesday.
Per Jake Trotter of ESPN, Stefanski told reporters that Beckham will be a "full go" in practice halfway through the week and ahead of this coming Sunday's matchup against the Chicago Bears.
Odell Beckham will be “full go” in practice today, said Kevin Stefanski, who, unlike early last week, is not ruling OBJ out for Sunday vs. Bears #Browns
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) September 22, 2021
According to Cleveland sports radio station 92.3 The Fan, Stefanski wouldn't comment on if Beckham will be on any "pitch count" if he makes his season debut Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who leads the league in completion percentage (81.6%), offered no hints on Beckham's status when speaking with the media earlier in the day.
Has Baker Mayfield found his perfect system? pic.twitter.com/DGxh5OMXX6
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 22, 2021
#Browns QB Baker Mayfield on when Odell will be ready: "It's a long year, so whenever he's ready, we'll be ready to roll...welcome him with open arms."
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) September 22, 2021
Fans shouldn't yet expect to see Beckham take the field against the Bears. He traveled with the Browns for their Week 1 contest at the Kansas City Chiefs, worked out on the Arrowhead Stadium playing surface before kickoff but then was ruled out after he "didn’t feel like he could go a significant amount," per Stefanski's postgame comments.
Like the Browns, the Bears are 1-1 on the campaign. As ESPN noted, Chicago coach Matt Nagy announced that rookie quarterback Justin Fields will start in place of the injured Andy Dalton (left knee) on Sunday.
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