OBJ struggled in Dolphins debut. He can still eventually play a role in the offense

Odell Beckham Jr. didn’t have the Dolphins debut that he likely expected.

Across 11 snaps against the New England Patriots, the 31-year-old receiver’s sole target came on a slant in the first quarter that cornerback Christian Gonzalez easily stepped in front of and snagged.

“Not as many snaps as I thought were going to happen just kind of the way that practice went, but it really was a point in the season where we were 1-3, like we needed to do whatever it was to win that game,” Beckham recalled, noting that he was still “a little sore” even though he “didn’t even get to play that much.”

Added Beckham: “I felt good. I felt a little sore going into the game, but other than that, like I said, it was about finding a way to win.”

And while the Dolphins did just that, beating the Patriots 15-10 in a game led by Miami’s rushing attack , expectations are OBJ will still be a key part of the offense. Unlike in past seasons, Beckham will not be relied up as a true No. 1 receiver. That honor is reserved for Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. But similar to how the three-time Pro Bowler recently discussed not feeling as much pressure in Miami , his role will be to relieve some of the defense’s added attention on the Hill and Waddle. Just ask his teammates what it was like to have him out there.

“His presence alone — I’m not sure what he did statistically yesterday, but just having him in there, being on the field, know it’s another reliable target to go to, especially third down,” Terron Armstead said Oct. 8. “His ability to win 1-on-1 matchups will be big for us moving forward.”

“It was big to have him back — he’s going to be a big piece of this offense, man,” Jonnu Smith said Monday. “Not worried about one game, obviously. We just got to continue to be ready when our number is called, and that guy right there is going to give us a big lift.”

“He’s going to be great for us,” Waddle said Monday. “Yeah man, you just got to respect a guy like that with that talent. I feel like defenses just feel his presence out there. It was his first game back and he looked real good so I’m excited to see him continue his journey this year.”

Beckham started training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list – much to the chagrin of Dolphins fans . Knee surgery and the subsequent rehab limited him to just two practices in a Dolphins uniform prior to the Oct. 6 game. The rust is to be somewhat expected, especially for a guy with 10 years of experience.

“Going into the game I was a little sore, but it’s all about building up the callus,” Beckham said. “These guys and everyone else across the league have gone through a full training camp, has gone through four weeks of a season or whatever. Far, far ahead of me in conditioning and their ability of feeling what it feels like to play football at the highest level day-in and day-out with practice or game.”

Beckham is not the same player who burst onto the scene with a one-handed snag that instantaneously the then-22-year-old must-see TV. Still, with more than 550 catches, 50 touchdown receptions, nearly 8,000 receiving yards and a Super Bowl to his name, OBJ can undoubtedly make an impact on a team desperate for a third pass-catcher. While Smith showed promise as that third option against the Patriots, recording five catches for 68 yards, the Dolphins’ two other rostered receivers – Braxton Berrios and rookie Malik Washington — haven’t shown much. The Berrios-Washington duo have a combined one grab for eight yards on the season.

With a very clear hole at the that third receiving spot, the Dolphins have virtually no choice but hope that Beckham returns to form. Patience, however, is a virtue as the two-time All-Pro receiver undergoes what will be just his second full week of practice. Keep in mind: he’s still learning a new position in one of the league’s most complicated offenses.

“Playing ‘F’ or playing slot is not something that I’ve done in my career since maybe college or high school,” Beckham said. So it’s definitely a different role, different verbiage and language

The early days aren’t going to be perfect. It certainly won’t look amazing either. As Beckham said, “there’s no real way to get into football shape.” But if the Dolphins want to have any chance of turning around the season, especially if Tua Tagovailoa returns to practice next week, Beckham will have to play a big part.