NEW YORK — The Minnesota Vikings won’t have to deal with Odell Beckham Jr. when they host the New York Giants on Sunday.
The wide receiver has lost the appeal of his one-game suspension and will sit out Sunday night. Hearing officer James Thrash upheld the punishment for multiple violations of safety-related playing rules after handling the appeal on Wednesday.
The NFL suspended Beckham on Monday for his conduct against Carolina on Sunday, when he drew three personal foul penalties in a game-long battle with Panthers cornerback Josh Norman.
Meanwhile, Giants punter Brad Wing says receiver Beckham was threatened by an unidentified bat-wielding man dressed in Carolina sweats before Sunday’s game with the Panthers. Wing said the man told Beckham he was the reason the Giants receiver would be playing his last game.
Norman also was punished by the league. He was fined a total of more than $26,000 for his role in several incidents involving Beckham. He was fined $17,363 for striking Beckham in the head, and close to $8,700 for a face-mask infraction.
Both players were voted to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday.
