Odell Beckham Jr. addresses 'reset' with Ravens

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. said Wednesday he feels like he's approaching "my first game" ahead of Sunday's regular-season opener against the Houston Texans.

"The whole thing feels like a reset for me," Beckham explained, per Jamison Hensley of ESPN. "There's been a lot of like deja vu moments of little things happened. It just kind of feels reminiscent of my rookie year in a sense — just the feeling of the excitement that I have to play football and just a new opportunity, a new life. So I don't know what to expect, but I'm excited."

Beckham hasn't played in a meaningful game since he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while featuring for the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI in February 2022. The 30-year-old tore the ACL in the same knee while with the Cleveland Browns in October 2020 and acknowledged earlier this summer he considered retirement following his latest setback. 

Instead, Beckham signed a one-year, $15M contract with the Ravens in April.

Well before Beckham experienced what he called the "dark days" and "hard times" of his rehab, the 2014 first-round draft pick earned Pro Bowl nods each season from his rookie year through the 2016 campaign while with the New York Giants. Some view Beckham as the pre-Week 1 favorite to win the Comeback Player of the Year Award, but he had something else on his mind while speaking with reporters following Wednesday's practice. 

"It's truly a blessing," Beckham remarked. "You know God really gave me another opportunity to play. The Ravens gave me another opportunity to play. I don't take it for granted."

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken served as Beckham's OC when both were with the Browns during the 2019 season and theoretically should help the receiver become fast friends with star quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson noted Wednesday that Beckham "just can't wait to show people in the world what he's still able to do" in Monken's offense this fall. 

"I feel good," Beckham added. "It's been a lot of hard work to get to this point. I know who I am. It's just time to let your hair down and have fun. I'm not giving out any numbers or expectations. I just feel good and ready to play football again."