Travis

Beckum

Beckum is blowing his chance to step up with Kevin Boss gone. He was inactive in Week 1 and now says he isn’t even sure if he can practice on Wednesday. Jake Ballard led Giants’ tight ends with two catches for 59 yards against the Redskins.

The catch was Beckum’s only target of the day. Dealing with an injury-depleted receiver corps, the Giants may eventually try to get Beckum more involved in the passing game. For now, he’s as far off-the-radar as possible.

Skepticism is advised. Beckum will be just seven months removed from surgery by Week 1. While it’s a good sign that he’s ahead of schedule, Beckum’s progress will likely have little effect on the Giants’ draft plans.

With both Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum recovering from torn ACLs, re-signing Pascoe should be a no-brainer for the Giants despite his limited athleticism. Even if Ballard and Beckum both begin 2012 on the PUP list, Pascoe is unlikely to be worth a look in fantasy leagues.

He’ll only be seven months removed from the surgery when the 2012 season starts. “Right now, we only have a couple of tight ends that are healthy,” Giants GM Jerry Reese said at the Combine. “So that’s definitely a concern for us.”

“If everything works out, yeah,” Beckum said. Beckum is still only two months removed from surgery, so color us skeptical. Even with Jake Ballard (torn ACL) in danger of missing the entire year, the G-Men have little incentive to rush Beckum back after signing Martellus Bennett and drafting Adrien Robinson. Beckum remains a strong candidate for the PUP list.

Beckum is “far more advanced” in his rehab after getting a nearly six-week head start. “It sucks but it’s a part of the game,” Beckum said. “Obviously, I’m mentally here for Jake and we kind of push each other.” Beckum is the far better bet to suit up this season, but neither player will be on the fantasy radar.

One week after hauling in a 67-yard touchdown, Beckum had one catch for 11 yards before going down. His absence should mean a few extra snaps for Jake Ballard.

Beckum and FB/TE Bear Pascoe will split snaps this week with Jake Ballard (knee) out. Beckum will play primarily on passing downs, but he has just three catches all season. He’s not a top-20 fantasy option this week.

Tonight was actually Beckum’s first two catch-performance of the season, giving the blocker five grabs for 93 yards in 12 games. Beckum won’t be a factor in the postseason if Jake Ballard can return from his knee injury. Under contract for $565,000 in 2012, Beckum should be back with the G-Men.