Dallas Cowboys: Odell Beckham Jr. bluff called, now inactive

The Dallas Cowboys will face off against the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football who will be without All-Pro wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

New York Giants fourth-year wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. made his name after making a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch against the Dallas Cowboys during his rookie season. On Sunday, in Week One of the 2017 regular season, Beckham will have to watch the two NFC rivals play from the sidelines.

Just prior to Sunday’s matchup, the Giants listed the three-time Pro Bowler on their inactive list. Beckham has been struggling a high-ankle sprain he suffered in the team’s second preseason contest. The 24-year old made the trip to Dallas and even participated in pregame warmups. It was thought to be a bit of a bluff by New York, in order to force the Cowboys to waste time preparing for him.

Instead, Dallas’ defensive secondary will now face New York’s newest trio of receiving threats in wide outs Brandon Marshall, Sterling Shepard and rookie tight end Evan Engram. Even without Beckham in the lineup, the Cowboys face a tough task with a relatively inexperienced defensive backfield featuring several new starters.

With Orlando Scandrick, Nolan Carroll, Anthony Brown and rookie Chidobe Awuzie at cornerback plus Byron Jones and Jeff Heath starting at safety, there are several unanswered questions surrounding this Cowboys secondary. A Beckham-less Giants’ passing attack will still present this relatively inexperienced group will a big challenge. Especially considering New York was the only team to beat Dallas twice last season.

Although Beckham has been an absolute menace towards opposing NFL teams for the past three seasons, he’s been held in relative check by the Cowboys in recent games. Last season, the All-Pro receiver recorded a total of eight receptions for 167 yards and one score against the Dallas defense.

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Regardless, I’m sure it’s a sigh of relief for the Dallas Cowboys to have one less receiving threat and playmaker to face on Sunday night.