Vikings Release Odell Beckham Jr. to Make Room for Kirk Cousins, Plan to Re-Sign Him to Practice Squad
Minnesota needed a 53-man roster spot for its new quarterback, but the veteran receiver is staying in the building
The Vikings released Odell Beckham Jr. on Tuesday, but he isn't going anywhere. Minnesota is re-signing the veteran receiver to its practice squad, The Ringer's Tom Pelissero reported, calling the move largely procedural: cutting Beckham from the active roster opened the 53-man spot for Kirk Cousins.
This is largely procedural: OBJ is sticking around, but his release from the active roster opened a spot for newly reacquired QB Kirk Cousins in Minnesota.View on X →
Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero): This is largely procedural: OBJ is sticking around, but his release from the active roster opened a spot for newly reacquired QB Kirk Cousins in Minnesota.
The Vikings traded a 2027 third-round pick to the Raiders for Cousins earlier Tuesday, bringing back their starter from 2018 to 2023 after the offense bottomed out in Monday's 23-6 loss to the Bills. Carson Wentz, starting with Kyler Murray out with a hamstring injury, completed 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards with two interceptions before being benched for Max Brosmer.
Beckham's stint on the active roster lasted two days. Minnesota signed him from the practice squad to the 53 on Sunday because Jauan Jennings was out with a calf strain, and the plan was for Beckham, Tai Felton and Myles Price to cover Jennings' snaps behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Beckham did not show up in the box score Monday night.
The 34-year-old joined Minnesota's practice squad on Oct. 7, a little more than a week after the Giants released him. He played 70 offensive snaps across three September games for New York and was targeted once without a catch. Back on the practice squad, he can still be elevated on game days if injuries hit the receiver room again.
The Vikings (6-2) have lost two straight but still lead the NFC North. They visit the Packers on Sunday, where Cousins could make his first start back in purple.