Browns’ Odell Beckham Jr. leaves practice early with illness

Could Odell Beckham Jr. miss Sunday’s showdown?

There might not be a hotter team in the NFL entering Week 6 than the Cleveland Browns. However, every team can hit a hiccup, and Cleveland’s passing game certainly could be in trouble against the Steelers if their top target misses time.

Cleveland’s star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was sent home early from practice due to an illness, according to Browns coach Kevin Stefanski. While Beckham has not tested positive for COVID-19, Stefankski stated that it’s best for both parties to separate until he is feeling back at full health.

“With this day and age, you’ve just got to be so careful in this environment, so just want to make sure we’re being proactive in that regard.” Stefanski said.

Beckham, the hottest trade commodity of the 2019 season, finally was finding his footing with Baker Mayfield and the offense. The 27-year-old finished Sunday’s outing against the Indianapolis Colts with five catches for 58 yards and averaged 6.44 yards per reception. For the year, Beckham has started hot with 21 receptions for 294 yards and three touchdowns.

Over the past two games, Mayfield, Beckham and Jarvis Landry have been connecting in the passing game. In Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, Beckham tallied five catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns, including on a pass from his former LSU teammate.

In a divisional game against the undefeated Steelers, Beckham will be needed immensely should the run game stall. Through their undefeated start, the Steelers rank second in run defense, allowing just 3.3 yards per carry and an average of 64 yards per game.

Stefanski did not comment on the status of Beckham for Sunday’s game.