The Facts: Beckham's return to game action might not come until September. Or so tweets the Pro Bowl wide receiver. In response to a fan tweet Saturday that begged him not to play in the 2018 preseason, Beckham virtually nodded in agreement.
Diehards Line:Beckham missed the majority of last season with an ACL injury, but first suffered an injury scare in the second week of the 2017 preseason when, as a defenseless receiver, he was hit low by Browns cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun. Sidelined by the ankle injury, Beckham did not play the rest of the preseason and missed New York's season opener. He was lost for the season only four weeks later. In addition to preventing any further injury and avoiding a pre-season setback, Beckham might consider sitting out the 2018 preseason for contract-related reasons. With his rookie contract set to expire after the 2018 season, Beckham would like a new deal -- perhaps something in the $20 million range, which would make him the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. If there's no pact by training camp, Beckham could consider holding out through the preseason. Hence the "zero" snaps he hinted at on Twitter. Giants brass is eager, but no overly so, to work something out so this one bears watching.