Pat Shurmur 'hopeful' Odell Beckham Jr. can play this week for Giants

Odell Beckham Jr. may not be able to play in the final two games of the season after missing the past two with a bruised quadriceps, but Pat Shurmur said Monday the Giants have no plans to shut down the wide receiver and place him on injured reserve.

“He’s like every other player,” Shurmur said. “We’re going to try to get him back for this Sunday.”

In that pursuit, Shurmur is “hopeful.”

“It feels better today than it did last week, so hopefully he works his way back in,” Shurmur said. “He’s a valuable member of our team, and if he’s healthy enough to play, then we’ll get him out there.”

Beckham disclosed some details of the injury in his Facebook docuseries on Friday night, which included calling it a “hematoma.” He also spoke about aggravating the initial injury, which occurred Nov. 25, during a play in practice Dec. 6 as he was extending to reach for a pass. He underwent tests Dec. 7 and then again on Thursday to see if any progress had been made. On Friday he was ruled out for the game against the Titans.

Shurmur had said he preferred players, and Beckham in particular, not to discuss injuries. He said he did not pay much attention to Beckham’s broadcast.

“I didn’t spend much time on Facebook and whatnot,” Shurmur said. “I just work with him on a daily basis. He’s doing what he can to come back from that injury, so I don’t really have any comment on the Facebook part of it. He’s doing what he can to get back, going through treatment, and trying to do everything he can to get back in the game.”

Notes & quotes: Shurmur said he’d like to see more action from rookie QB Kyle Lauletta in the final two weeks but offered no guarantee he’ll play or even be activated. After going 0-for-5 in his debut two weeks ago, Lauletta was inactive Sunday against the Titans as Alex Tanney served as the backup quarterback. “I think Kyle’s got a bright future,” Shurmur said. “But we’ve said this all along, at least I have, that he’s got a long way to go in terms of doing the things necessary. Although he can get in there and function, there’s a lot to learn playing quarterback in this league.” . . .WR Russell Shepard (ankle), CB Antonio Hamilton (quad) and C Spencer Pulley (calf) were injured Sunday. Shurmur said they are all injuries that could heal in time for them to play this week or next.

By Tom Rock

tom.rock@newsday.com@TomRock_Newsday

Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.