Odell Beckham Jr. makes Giants 53-man roster after year away

The New York Giants set their initial 53-man roster on Friday, and Odell Beckham Jr. is on it. The 33-year-old receiver, per CBS Sports, missed the entire 2025 season and returns to the team where he had his first star-level stretch as an NFL player, now reuniting with head coach John Harbaugh.

Beckham will join a wide receiver corps that includes first-round pick Malik Nabers, newly acquired Darnell Mooney, third-round rookie Malachi Fields, and veteran Darius Slayton. Nabers remains on track for the season-opener against Dallas, according to reporting. The Giants also retained vested veteran Braxton Berrios, who is not subject to waivers; Adam Schefter reports Berrios should return before Week 1.

The roster that took shape Friday carries several notable cuts. Draft picks Jalin Hyatt, Darius Muasau, Evan Neal, and Eric Gray were released. Dalen Cambre did not make the team. The moves left room for depth on the offensive and defensive lines, in the defensive secondary, and at key skill positions.

At running back, the Giants kept four: Cam Skattebo, Najee Harris, Devin Singletary, and Tyrone Tracy. Harris, 6-foot-1 and 242 pounds, is returning from a torn Achilles tendon. Harbaugh stated Harris would be ready for Week 1, per CBS Sports. Harris received 11 carries in a preseason game against the Jets and joined the roster after the Giants' first preseason game. Singletary, a third-year back, drew praise from Harbaugh during training camp for his consistency.

The offensive line features left tackle Andrew Thomas, who has practiced every day during spring and summer. Jon Runyan Jr. is the starting left guard and faced no challenge for his position. John Michael Schmitz starts at center in the final year of his rookie contract. No. 10 overall pick Francis Mauigoa, the right guard, had the highest impact play rate percentile of any right guard during preseason as of August 29, per CBS Sports. Jermaine Eluemunor is the right tackle. Marcus Mbow is expected to serve as swing tackle, and rookie sixth-round pick J.C. Davis made the roster. Bryan Hudson, a practice squad member last season, also made the team.

Tight end Isaiah Likely emerged as a target for quarterback Jaxson Dart during the summer. The Giants carried four tight ends: Likely, Theo Johnson (a 2024 fourth-round pick who has dealt with a shoulder injury), Chris Manhertz, and second-year player Thomas Fidone. Dan Duggan reported Fidone made the roster because "he's the type of young player they definitely wanted to guard from hitting waivers." The quarterback room holds Jaxson Dart, entering his second season, and Jameis Winston, who was named to the Leadership Council. Fullback Patrick Ricard, weighing 300 pounds, is the lone fullback on the roster.

Beckham demonstrated during practice that he could get open and still catch the football, per CBS Sports. The roster remains in flux: waiver claims can be made until 1 p.m. ET Monday, and the Giants hold the No. 5 claiming order. Other moves are expected before the team finalizes its Week 1 preparation against Dallas.