FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Odell Beckham Jr. did not play Thursday night as the Giants beat the Patriots 40-38 in the preseason finale for both teams. But he was on the field at Gillette Stadium a full 2 ¹/₂ hours before kickoff, the first time he has been seen engaged in any football activities since suffering a sprained left ankle Aug. 21 in Cleveland.
Beckham did not do much in a 25-minute pregame session, but any glimpse of the star receiver wearing cleats and catching passes is a welcome sign.
Beckham, on the field before his teammates, stood under one goal post wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and red shorts. He caught passes from a trainer while standing flat-footed and then while balancing on one foot, and then the other. These were simple rehab exercises and Beckham did not do any running. He also caught passes while flat on his back.
“He’s in treatment and doing his workouts,’’ was all coach Ben McAdoo would say about Beckham. “We will see how he responds in the morning.’’
In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Giants ownership — the Mara and Tisch families — made a $1 million donation to the Houston relief efforts. The pledge will go to Americares, the American Red Cross and the Houston food bank.
Tight end Matt LaCosse caught five passes for 60 yards, including touchdown tosses from Geno Smith and Josh Johnson, to help his case to make the team.
“It’s up to them now,’’ LaCosse said. “I think I did enough, but we’ll see. It’s not in my hands anymore.’’
TE Will Tye (four receptions, 48 yards) was also productive, but he did lose the ball on a fumble. Rookie FB Shane Smith’s blocking was also a positive.
“They certainly made it tough on us tonight,’’ McAdoo said of the competion for jobs.
DE Kerry Wynn had a pick-six of Jacoby Brissett in the first quarter, taking an interception return 15 yards for the touchdown.
RB Shaun Draughn battled injuries and had just one rushing attempt in the first three games. His final bid for a job was a strong one.
He ran hard all night (14 carries, 54 yards) and scored on a 1-yard plunge.
Rookie QB Davis Webb, in what will likely be his last playing time in a long while, went 8-of-14 for 103 yards and led the offense on the game-winning drive.
“I’ve had some two-minute opportunities throughout camp,’’ Webb said, “and to execute it in the last preseason game against the Patriots, it’s a lot of fun.’’
The Patriots lost a player projected to be a backup cornerback and punt returner when Cyrus Jones suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury covering Travis Rudolph on a deep pass.