EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings on Saturday announced the elevations of receivers Odell Beckham, Jr., and Jeshaun Jones from their practice squad ahead of visiting the Saints at noon (CT) Sunday.

Minnesota also announced the activations of center Michael Jurgens and tight end Ben Yurosek from Injured Reserve.

Despite playing for more than a decade in the NFL, Beckham has only appeared in the Superdome once. He made the most of the opportunity in his hometown, catching eight passes for 130 yards and three touchdowns for the Giants on Nov. 1, 2015.

The only problem for New York that day, however, is Drew Brees tied the NFL single-game record with seven passes. Brees, by the way, is calling the game for the FOX broadcast team and is being inducted into the Saints Ring of Honor.

After playing for Miami in 2024 and not playing in 2025, Beckham returned to New York this offseason. He received a tremendous ovation from Giants fans when they hosted Minnesota in the preseason opener for both teams.

Less than two months later (just this Wednesday), he signed with the Vikings practice squad, reconnecting with Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and several assistants from the 2021 Rams that won Super Bowl LVI. Beckham, who caught the first TD in that game before suffering an injury, noted O'Connell's role in recruiting him this week.

"I was with K.O. in LA, and I had a great time while I was there with him, and he's just somebody who I've watched come over here and always knew when he was over there, he was built for what he's doing now, and he had extreme confidence and belief coaching me, and it's always good to be somewhere where you're wanted.

"Life happens fast, but life in the NFL definitely feels like it happens faster," Beckham added before knowing whether he would be elevated for Sunday's contest.

The elevations of Beckham and Jones followed a week with Justin Jefferson (ankle) and Jordan Addison (hamstring) being listed as questionable on the final injury report. Jefferson suffered his injury in Week 3 at Tampa Bay and was inactive against Miami in Week 4.

He's hoping to be able to play in his hometown for the second time of his NFL career and first with a full building (the 2020 game attendance was limited to 3,000 fans because of COVID-19 protocols).

Beckham recalled Jefferson growing up in the LSU locker room before continuing the school's incredible lineage of big-time receivers.

"He was like this big at LSU," Beckham said gesturing below his height, "and I've got a very good eye for someone who's watching. But I've got a different eye for someone who's watching like, 'I'm going to be you or better.'

"Just to watch him live that out, it's pretty amazing," Beckham said. "It'll be amazing to get to see him up close and personal and also get to see what he's going to do for the rest of his career, God willing. He's got a chance to be one of the best to ever do it, so it's pretty special to be able to be here with him."

Asked why Beckham and Jefferson are good fits for O'Connell's scheme, Beckham replied, "I just feel like from Justin and myself, just being able to be free, to be able to run in motion and run routes where you're just smooth, you know what I mean?

"And I feel like that's been K.O.'s game," Beckham added. "It was like that when I was in L.A. So I knew as soon as he came here, you had seen all the things Justin had done. I said he's going to go for 1,700, and he might go for 2,000. And it just allows him to play fast and get open, and that's what he does best."

View the Vikings 2026 Schedule.

See future opponents for the Vikings.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.

See more about the 2028 NFL Draft in Minnesota.