Odell Beckham Jr. practices with Browns for first time

NFL

OBJ practices with Browns

Odell Beckham Jr.’s excused, debated absence is over. He’s run a comeback route to the Browns.

The star wide receiver practiced with his new teammates for the first time Tuesday after skipping Cleveland’s voluntary workouts last month.

Beckham, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Giants in March, had drawn local and national criticism for not taking part in the team’s offseason program, which included an extra session because the Browns have a new coach, Freddie Kitchens.

A three-time Pro Bowler, Beckham spent one day in Cleveland for his introductory news conference on April 1 before leaving for vacation, to work out in California and to attend to personal business. He posted videos of his workouts in Los Angeles on Instagram in an attempt to show his commitment and counteract any negativity.

Kitchens even offered public support to the 26-year-old, saying he was confident Beckham would stay in shape. Kitchens stayed in contact with Beckham while he was away.

“There’s no problem with Odell not being here,” Kitchens said on April 27.

Tuesday’s practice was closed to the media, but Wednesday’s will be open. The Browns will practice 10 times in the next three weeks, and it’s not known if Beckham will stay around to participate in all of them.

Remmers’ deal official

Mike Remmers, the latest and perhaps final piece in the current rebuild of the Giants’ offensive line, is officially on board.

The team announced that it has signed the 30-year-old veteran. Remmers’ agreement with the team had been expected since he was waived by the Vikings in March and his agent announced an agreement on Saturday.

Remmers will step is as the right tackle, completing an overhaul of the line that likely will include, from left tackle to right, Nate Solder, Will Hernandez, Jon Halapio, Kevin Zeitler and Remmers.

Halapio is the only one who was on the Giants’ roster under the previous regime of Jerry Reese and Ben McAdoo. The Giants also have center Spencer Pulley who will compete with Halapio in training camp.

The Giants also signed defensive end Freedom Akinmoladun, a rookie from Nebraska. He attended the team’s rookie minicamp as a tryout. Kicker Joey Slye, signed after that minicamp, was waived. Defensive back Jacob Thienemen, who hurt his knee in the minicamp, was waived/injured. — TOM ROCK

Jets claim two

The Jets claimed wide receiver Xavier Ubosi and tackle Calvin Anderson, and waived wideout DeAngelo Yancey and tackle Dieugot Joseph.

Both Ubosi and Anderson are undrafted free agents that the Patriots just waived.

Ubosi had 48 catches for 1,065 yards and nine touchdowns in 20 games at Alabama-Birmingham. Anderson was a four-year starter at left tackle at Rice for three seasons and Texas last year.

Yancey was signed to the Jets practice squad in December. He signed a reserve/future deal in January.

Joseph also signed a reserve/future deal with the Jets in January after spending time in 2018 on their practice squad. — AL IANNAZZONE

TENNIS

Serena withdraws from Italian Open

Serena Williams withdrew from the Italian Open ahead of her second-round match against sister Venus because of a previously injured left knee.

Tournament organizers made the announcement a day after Serena opened her clay-court season with a straight-sets win over Swedish qualifier Rebecca Peterson.

“I must withdraw from the Italian Open due to pain in my left knee,” Serena said, according to the WTA website. “I will miss the fans and competition at one of my favorite tournaments. I’ll be concentrating on rehab and look forward to seeing you all at the French Open and next year in Rome.”

The next tournament on Serena’s schedule is Roland Garros, which starts in less than two weeks.

COLLEGE LACROSSE

Nagle not returning next season

Stony Brook Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron announced today that Jim Nagle will not return as coach following eight years at the helm of the men’s lacrosse team.

Nagle, who guided the Seawolves to a 9-6 record in 2019, closed out his Stony Brook career with a 68-59 record, including a 31-14 in the America East. He led the Seawolves to an NCAA Tournament berth during his first season in 2012 and six America East semifinal appearances in eight years.