Los Angeles Rams receiver Odell Beckham Jr. started last night’s Super Bowl matchup hot with a huge contested catch in the first quarter to put the Rams up 7-0 against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.
OBJ'S FIRST CATCH IS A TOUCHDOWN. #RamsHouse @OBJ
📺: #SBLVI on NBC
📱: https://t.co/K02y40b5Nu pic.twitter.com/4nbf2miuHO— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2022
That would be the peak of his game, however, as the star receiver went down in the second quarter with a knee injury that ended his night early.
Ugh. pic.twitter.com/29fcwUh6q7
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) February 14, 2022
Any time that a player goes down with a non-contact injury and holds his knee, the assumption is that it could be a torn ACL. As per a report Monday from NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, it unfortunately appears that this may be the case for Beckham.
#Rams WR Odell Beckham Jr is believed to have torn his ACL in last night’s Super Bowl win, source said. That means a long road of recovery for the free agent, who has a challenge to be ready for 2022. Beckham had 2 catches for 52 yards, 1 TD and 1 moonwalk before the injury.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 14, 2022
Here are some reactions to the reports that seem to believe it could be a very serious injury for Beckham.
Such a cruel game. Odell rebuilt his value in LA. Hopefully he shakes back quick. https://t.co/DwsqeFuP8k
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) February 14, 2022
Awful news here, same knee too.
If OBJ chooses to retire after this, not saying he will but he will have had one of the wildest NFL careers of all time. https://t.co/SJMpkWGn2b
— Lawrence Tynes (@lt4kicks) February 14, 2022
This is where sports just are not fair. OBJ’s second ACL tear. Wishing him a speedy recovery. The Rams will take care of him I have no doubt he probably gets a multi year deal. Have him come back for the latter portion of 2022-23 to try and defend the title. https://t.co/SpRLGXUPRR
— JAKE ELLENBOGEN (@JKBOGEN) February 14, 2022
A really rough break for Odell Beckham, not just because he missed the second half of the Super Bowl, but because he had a real chance to cash in (again) as a free agent in March. https://t.co/cStiVPW9tL
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) February 14, 2022
Brutal. OBJ was really starting to look like Giants-OBJ again. https://t.co/BXJXigyBiL
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) February 14, 2022
Should it be confirmed that Beckham did in fact tear his ACL, it would be a crushing diagnosis for the receiver. Beckham tore his ACL in the same knee last season with the Cleveland Browns.
This injury comes at an unfortunate time for Beckham, as he will be going into next season as a free agent. He would have likely commanded a good amount of money on the open market given his impressive playoff performance, but now his future will certainly be in question.
There is a small silver lining for Beckham, who was able to secure his first Super Bowl championship last night in part thanks to his touchdown catch.
Beckham is only 29 years old and can certainly come back from this injury. But there will definitely be questions of whether or not he can return to the form he has been showing this post-season for the Rams.
