Odell Beckham Jr.: Health, Suspension, Lawsuit & NFL Future

You’ve probably seen the headlines — suspension, lawsuits, a new health update — and wondered what’s actually happening with Odell Beckham Jr. The three-time Pro Bowler who once made the most famous catch in NFL history is now navigating free agency, a six-game ban, and a very public legal fight with Nike. Here’s a clear-eyed look at where OBJ stands in 2025 and what comes next.

Age: 33 (born November 5, 1992) ·
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 198 lbs ·
Career Receptions: 566 ·
Career Receiving Yards: 7,932 ·
Career Touchdowns: 59 ·
Pro Bowl Selections: 3

Six stats that define OBJ’s career, one pattern: elite production early, disrupted by injuries and off-field drama.

What’s going on with Odell Beckham Jr.?

Latest updates on Odell Beckham Jr.’s career

Beckham remains a free agent after being released by the Miami Dolphins in early 2024. He played nine games for Miami, recording 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns (Pro Football Reference). In December 2024, news broke that he had accepted a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, a penalty that further complicates his return to the field (ESPN – leading sports news outlet).

Odell Beckham Jr.’s free agency status

As of early 2025, no team has signed Beckham. He told The Pivot Podcast that he wants to keep playing and named four preferred destinations: the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, and New York Giants (ESPN). Any team that signs him will have to wait until Week 12 before he becomes eligible to suit up.

Why is Odell Beckham Jr. not playing in the NFL?

Suspension and legal issues

The immediate obstacle is a six-game suspension Beckham accepted for violating the NFL’s PED policy. He said the failed test stemmed from his time with the Dolphins and that he did not knowingly take any banned substances (ESPN). When he asked the league which substance triggered the test, he was told his testosterone levels were too high (ESPN).

Injury history and health concerns

• Tore his ACL during Super Bowl LVI (February 2022) and missed most of the 2022 season rehabbing.
• Played only 14 games total for the Ravens (2023) and Dolphins (2024) combined.
• Rumored hip and knee issues have limited his practice time.

Free agency and contract disputes

After his release from Miami, Beckham entered free agency at age 32. His injury history and suspension have made teams cautious. An unnamed NFL executive told The Athletic that “the talent is still there, but the baggage is heavy” (The Athletic – sports analysis site). The implication: OBJ may need to accept a one-year, incentives-laden deal to prove he’s still a difference-maker.

What is Odell Beckham Jr’s disease?

Diagnosis of alopecia universalis

In early 2025, Beckham revealed he has alopecia universalis, an autoimmune condition that causes total hair loss. He posted a photo on Instagram captioned “I am who I am”, publicly confirming the diagnosis for the first time (Instagram – Beckham’s official account). The condition does not affect his physical ability to play football, but it has drawn widespread attention and support from fans and fellow athletes.

Impact on Odell Beckham Jr.’s life and career

Beckham said the diagnosis has been “freeing” and that he feels more comfortable in his own skin now. Teammates and coaches have publicly backed him (People – celebrity news outlet). For his career, the condition itself is not a limiting factor — but the media attention around it adds another layer of scrutiny.

The pattern: Beckham’s personal life continues to intersect with his professional narrative in ways few NFL stars experience.

What Kardashian did Odell Beckham date?

Odell Beckham Jr. and Kim Kardashian’s relationship timeline

• Rumored to have started dating in early 2023.
• Attended several red-carpet events together, including the CFDA Awards.
• Split after about seven months in early 2024.

Kim Kardashian’s representative confirmed the split to People magazine, citing “conflicting schedules” (People – celebrity news source). Beckham has not commented publicly on the breakup.

Are Lauren Wood and Odell still together?

Beckham shares a son (born 2022) with model Lauren Wood. The couple reportedly got back together after his split from Kardashian, but neither has confirmed their current status. Wood has posted photos with Beckham on social media in late 2024, suggesting they are still on good terms (Instagram – Lauren Wood’s account).

Why did Nike sue Odell Beckham?

Details of the Nike lawsuit

Nike filed a lawsuit against Beckham in 2024, alleging he breached his endorsement contract by demanding millions in withheld royalties and failing to fulfill promotional obligations. According to court documents, Beckham claimed Nike owed him back royalties and had engaged in unfair business practices (Sports Illustrated – sports news site).

Odell Beckham Jr.’s counterclaim

Beckham countersued, accusing Nike of withholding payments due from his signature shoe line and using its market power to suppress his earning potential. The case is pending in federal court, with both sides filing motions (BBC News – global news organization).

Why this matters: The lawsuit could set a precedent for how athletes challenge long-term endorsement deals. For Beckham, it’s a fight over both money and creative control.

Odell Beckham Jr. by the numbers

Ten key stats reveal one takeaway: OBJ’s peak was elite, but consistency has been the challenge.

For Beckham, the next few months will define the final chapter of his career. The choice is clear: find a team willing to take a chance on a 33-year-old with a suspension and injury history, or step away from the game that made him a household name. For the NFL teams in need of a proven deep threat, the question is whether the reward outweighs the disruption. The 2025 season will tell us if Odell Beckham Jr. still has magic left — or if his best catches are already in the highlight reel.

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