Vikings elevate Odell Beckham Jr. from practice squad ahead of Saints game
The undefeated Minnesota Vikings reportedly elevated veteran receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from the practice squad for Sunday's game at New Orleans, with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison both questionable.
1 / 2
The story, neutrally told
Right · 1The Minnesota Vikings are reported to have elevated wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from their practice squad ahead of Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. Fox NewsR “It's been reported that the team is elevating the veteran wide receiver from the practice squad ahead of this week's game against the New Orleans Saints.” Read at Fox News ↗ Mixed · 2The move comes with top receivers Justin Jefferson (ankle) and Jordan Addison (hamstring) both listed as questionable. Fox NewsR “Jefferson is dealing with an ankle issue, while Addison has a hamstring injury.” Read at Fox News ↗ NewsweekN “with star receiver Justin Jefferson and fellow wideout Jordan Addison both listed as questionable.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Right · 1Fox News noted that an elevation does not guarantee Beckham game action, but it gives the Vikings options if either receiver cannot play. Fox NewsR “That doesn't mean Beckham will see any game action, but it gives the Vikings options” Read at Fox News ↗
Centre · 1Beckham signed with the practice squad on Wednesday, and Newsweek, in its own account, said he had not yet been elevated and that head coach Kevin O'Connell had not ruled it out. NewsweekN “Minnesota signed the veteran wide receiver to its practice squad Wednesday”“head coach Kevin O’Connell has not ruled out the possibility.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Mixed · 2Jefferson, out since late September, is trending the right way: O'Connell said, per ESPN, that he "progressed throughout the week" and that the decision would depend on how he feels. Newsweek says Jefferson was injured in Week 3 and missed the Week 4 win over Miami. Fox NewsR “"He progressed throughout the week," he said.” Read at Fox News ↗ NewsweekN “Jefferson missed Minnesota’s Week 4 victory over the Miami Dolphins” Read at Newsweek ↗ Mixed · 2Beckham, 33, began the 2026 season with the New York Giants, appearing in three games with one target and no receptions before being released Sept. 29. NewsweekN “Beckham appeared in three games for the Giants but failed to record a reception, receiving just one target before being released Sept. 29.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Fox NewsR “was only targeted once in three games with the Giants” Read at Fox News ↗
Centre · 1Newsweek adds that Beckham sat out all of 2025, had nine catches for 55 yards with Miami in 2024 and 35 catches for 565 yards with Baltimore in 2023. NewsweekN “Beckham spent the entire 2025 season out of football”“he recorded just nine receptions for 55 yards.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1O'Connell was the Rams' offensive coordinator during Beckham's 2021 title run, in which Beckham scored the opening touchdown of Super Bowl LVI before tearing an ACL; Beckham also played at LSU like Jefferson and is a New Orleans native, so a debut would come in his hometown. NewsweekN “O’Connell served as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams during Beckham’s memorable 2021 season.”“Beckham is a New Orleans native, meaning a potential Vikings debut would come in his hometown.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1The Vikings are 4-0; Newsweek says Kyler Murray leads an offense that has struggled to move the ball through the air. NewsweekN “The Vikings enter Week 5 with a perfect 4-0 record”“With quarterback Kyler Murray leading the offense” Read at Newsweek ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Longer, comeback-style piece on a 'surprise' move and what Beckham might offer.
- Emphasis
- Career history, Rams link with O'Connell, hometown angle, doubts over what he has left.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not report the elevation as done.
- Charged language
- “Surprise”
- For example
-
“The three-time Pro Bowler has yet to be elevated to Minnesota’s active game-day roster” — Newsweek
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Short, wry item on the elevation, noting the failed Giants return and that Beckham may only stand on the sideline.
- Emphasis
- Beckham's lack of production and the Jefferson/Addison injury status.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Little career history or Rams connection to O'Connell.
- Charged language
- “electrifying”
- For example
-
“But, hey, the warm-up highlights were electrifying!” — Fox News
What every side reports
- Beckham is on the Vikings practice squad.
- Jefferson and Addison are questionable for the Saints game.
- Beckham was with the Giants earlier this season without a reception.
- The Vikings are 4-0.
Where accounts differ
-
Whether Beckham had been elevated
- Centre
- Says he had yet to be elevated, with O'Connell not ruling it out.
- Right
- Reports the team is elevating him for the game.
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
-
Vikings Make Surprise Odell Beckham Jr. Move Ahead of Saints Game
Sympathetic Comeback narrative with measured doubts about Beckham's remaining ability.
Right1 article
-
Minnesota Vikings bring Odell Beckham Jr. up from practice squad for game against Saints
Dismissive Sardonic brief on a low-impact depth move.
- 10 Oct 21:26 First Fox NewsR Minnesota Vikings bring Odell Beckham Jr. up from practice squad for game against Saints
- 11 Oct 01:58 +4h 32m NewsweekN Vikings Make Surprise Odell Beckham Jr. Move Ahead of Saints Game
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.