Odell Beckham explains his slow return from injury

Aug 12, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) walks in the bench area during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Odell Beckham Jr. finally began practicing with the Miami Dolphins on Thursday, a major step toward actually taking part in game action. Beckham has not been involved for the first four weeks of the season, a source of frustration for many fans, but he has a good reason for it.

Beckham admitted that he and his camp waited too long during the offseason to have the wide receiver undergo a knee procedure. He also added, however, that he had not even planned on signing with a team during the offseason until the opportunity arose to join Miami.

“I had to have a small clean up of the knee and just kind of going through that free agency process. You know, my agent and I went back and forth, whether we do it right after the season or we wait until free agency happens and I just feel like I waited too late,” Beckham said, via Adam Beasley of Pro Football Network.

Beckham added that the Dolphins were fully aware of his status when they signed him, and accepted that he would not be ready for the start of the season. He also once again called out social media users that accused him of misleading the franchise in order to get paid.

The veteran wide receiver signed a fairly modest one-year deal with Miami in May. There remains no clear timetable for when he might be able to suit up in a game.