Vikings Elevate Odell Beckham Jr. for Saints Showdown Amid Receiver Injuries

Odell Beckham Jr. is set for his Minnesota debut. The Vikings elevated the veteran wide receiver from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday's Week 5 game against the New Orleans Saints, multiple reports confirmed on Saturday. The move is insurance. Star receiver Justin Jefferson is questionable with an ankle injury and Jordan Addison is questionable with a hamstring problem after both were limited in practice all week. Head coach Kevin O'Connell said whether Beckham actually suits up will depend on game day, admitting that if both Jefferson and Addison are cleared, Beckham would likely be inactive. Beckham, 33, joined Minnesota's practice squad on Wednesday, just over a week after the New York Giants released him following a quiet three-game reunion in which he was targeted once. The Louisiana native and former LSU star gets a homecoming of sorts in New Orleans, where he has quickly built a connection with quarterback Kyler Murray, according to reports. The elevation reunites Beckham with O'Connell, who was the Rams' offensive coordinator in 2021 when the receiver played a starring role in Los Angeles' Super Bowl run. Beckham even took the No. 9 jersey in Minnesota, the number previously worn by quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings also elevated receiver Jeshaun Jones from the practice squad and activated centre Michael Jurgens and tight end Ben Yurosek from injured reserve.