EAST RUTHERFORD - The last time Odell Beckham Jr. was inside MetLife Stadium in a Giants uniform, the star wide receiver caught a touchdown pass from Eli Manning and threw one, too.
That was in December 2018 when the Giants upset the Chicago Bears in overtime, and Beckham, the most popular player on the team, was traded to Cleveland months later.
Now he's back in the building and the headliner going into Saturday's preseason opener for the Giants against the Minnesota Vikings in what represents the first game, albeit an exhibition, for John Harbaugh as their head coach.
Beckham is expected to play in his first game action in nearly two seasons, while Jaxson Dart and most of the starting offense should be on the field, at least for a series.
The Giants spent the first 12 days of training camp at The Greenbrier Resort some 475 miles away, and Harbaugh believes they came away a better team than when they started. There is still just under a month from real action when the Dallas Cowboys visit the Meadowlands in Week 1 in prime time on Sunday, Sept. 13.
We have been with the Giants for every practice this summer so far and will continue to be your eyes and ears here at NorthJersey.com and The Record, documenting and analyzing every step toward Harbaugh's first season with Big Blue and beyond.
Here's everything we are seeing and hearing as the Giants kick off the preseason, and keep checking back all day for live updates and analysis:
Odell Beckham Jr. arrives, looking to make every play count
Odell Beckham is in the thick of the competition for a roster spot with the Giants. He's looked good this summer - healthy and surprisingly with more juice than many anticipated - but in a crowded receiver room, the 33-year-old is aware he has to make the most of every opportunity he gets.
Whether that's with Dart, Jameis Winston or Brandon Allen in Saturday's preseason game remains to be seen.
@obj back in the building pic.twitter.com/eMMfpzNTZA
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) August 15, 2026
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Giants vs Vikings live updates, analysis from preseason opener