The NY Giants will be without Odell Beckham on Sunday night after the receiver had his suspension upheld for his actions last week against the Carolina Panthers. The Giants now will be without Beckham on Sunday night in Week 16 against the Vikings, giving Rueben Randle and Dwayne Harris the chance to step up for Eli Manning.
Beckham was suspended after getting physical multiple times with Panthers cornerback Josh Norman, including a helmet-to-helmet hit to the head. Beckham appealed the suspension and the appeal was heard by appeals officer James Thrash on Wednesday and the ruling came down in the afternoon. According to Pro Football Talk, the one-game suspension was upheld after Beckham had "multiple violations of safety-related playing rules."
Beckham and the Giants released statements about the situation and Beckham apologized for his actions and said that "sportsmanship and respecting the game" are important. Beckham also said: "I apologize to my teammates, the Giants organization and to all fans of the NFL." The Giants now will be down one of the top receivers in the league when they play against the Vikings on Sunday night. The Giants are still alive for the NFC East title, but that is dependent on the Eagles winning over the Redskins in Week 16.
Beckham now will not be able to work out at the team facility during his suspension and he will be eligible to come back to the team on Monday. The Giants finish the season with the Philadelphia Eagles on the schedule in Week 17. Head coach Tom Coughlin took some heat for not sitting Beckham in the game against the Panthers, but he likely was trying to win the game and the Giants nearly did that, Beckham included. Beckham scored the game-tying touchdown for the Giants before the Panthers came back and won on a field goal at the end.
Beckham has been one of the top receivers in the NFL this season and the Giants will have a hard time replacing his production. Beckham has 91 catches for 1396 yards and 13 touchdowns in 14 games this season and he has put up eight 100-yard games. Randle comes in with 51 catches for 638 yards this season and he had a TD reception last week against the Panthers. Coughlin has been on the hot seat for the Giants and depending on how the team finishes, the Giants could make some changes.
