Giants top pick Odell Beckham Jr. out for Jets

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) New York Giants first-round draft pick Odell Beckham Jr. has nothing to show for the preseason.

Coach Tom Coughlin announced Tuesday that the rookie wide receiver will miss the annual bragging rights game against the Jets (2-0) because of continuing problems with a hamstring injury.

The LSU product pulled a hamstring two days into training camp and he has participated in six practices. After missing the Giants' first three preseason games, this was supposed to be the week that he played.

However, Beckham was hit in the back of his leg late in practice Monday and he did not practice Tuesday. Coughlin ruled him out for Friday night's game.

Beckham remains confident he is not dealing with a long-term issue.

''We have progressively built up my workload,'' he said. ''I was sore this morning, and I didn't work today because we didn't want a setback, and I don't consider this a setback. I see it as another step in getting back to full strength.''

Coughlin said Beckham did not practice on Tuesday because he was sore.

''They don't feel like it is a re-injury,'' Coughlin said. ''They are going to be cautious because that's what it takes. They are saying it's no setback so that's where we are on it.''

Coughlin saw Beckham catch a pass and run down the sideline late in practice Monday, but he did not see him being hurt.

Beckham's injury though is frustrating for the veteran coach because the rookie had a shot at being a contributor in the new offense being installed by coordinator Ben McAdoo.

The rookie has the speed and hands to be the deep threat in a receiving group that has Victor Cruz in the slot position and Rueben Randle as the other outside receiver.

Beckham played in 40 games in three seasons at LSU and had 143 receptions for 2,340 yards, a 16.4-yard average, and 12 touchdowns. He also averaged 24.9 yards on 42 kickoffs returns and 9.0 yards on 62 punt returns, scoring twice.

He had never missed game action due to an injury.

Beckham has not missed any class room time with the Giants (3-0), but he has to get into football shape with the season opener at Detroit less than three weeks away.

With Beckham out and fourth-year receiver Jerrel Jernigan having a so-so training camp, rookie free agent Corey Washington and Marcus Harris, who was on the Giants' practice squad last season, have stepped up and impressed the coaching staff.

Washington has caught a touchdown pass in each of the preseason games, including two game-winning passes, while Harris has a team-high eight catches for 90 yards.

Harris is happy both players are contributing.

''I made my plays and he made his,'' Harris said.

Washington and Harris also have made the most of their opportunities with Beckham sidelined.

''I've earned the reps I got and I kept making plays so they kept giving them to me,'' he said. ''Hopefully I keep it that way.''

NOTES: The kicking competition between veteran Josh Brown and rookie Brandon McManus remains close with two preseason games left. Neither has missed a field-goal attempt. McManus is 2-for-2 and Brown made his only attempt. ... The Giants are doing more game planning this week and they worked against some formations the Jets might use on Friday.

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