Cleveland Browns big-name wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was "excused" from practice for a second straight day amid drama linked with his father's social media posts that blamed quarterback Baker Mayfield for the perceived lack of chemistry between the two teammates on the field.
Mayfield told reporters Wednesday he would welcome Beckham back to the team despite the perception that OBJ has played his last down for the organization, and it appears QB1 isn't alone among those inside the club's locker room.
NFL insider Josina Anderson tweeted Thursday Beckham "is waiting and willing to return to the facility and rejoin the team upon notification" while away from the squad.
A number of teams are sniffing around Odell Beckham's Jr's status with the Cleveland #Browns, per multiple sources. At the same time it's my understanding that Beckham Jr. is waiting and willing to return to the facility and rejoin the team upon notification, per league source.
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) November 4, 2021
"We think he’s a great player when he’s on the field, but we don’t know what the situation is. We probably know as much as you guys know," left guard Joel Bitonio said of the issue and of Beckham, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "But if he wants to come back and be part of the team, I’m sure we’d welcome him with open arms."
Meanwhile, safety John Johnson III added a "majority" of teammates would "love" to have Beckham in the building.
John Johnson III says the majority of the Browns locker room would welcome back OBJ and want him in Cleveland. #Browns pic.twitter.com/olY6mP2Scg
— clevelanddotcom (@clevelanddotcom) November 4, 2021
It's possible Beckham, who has 17 receptions for 232 yards and no touchdowns this season, is using media sources to paint the Browns as the bad guys and himself as the victim in this matter. Then again, maybe he wants to finish what he started and, at the very least, try to leave no doubt that he isn't to blame for Cleveland's offensive woes and the club's 4-4 record.
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