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Beckham worked out with Cris Carter while skipping Giants OTAs

Robert Deutsch / USA TODAY Sports

Odell Beckham Jr. may have made headlines with his decision to stay away from the first few practices of OTAs, but that doesn't mean he wasn't still hard at work.

As it turns out, the New York Giants receiver was getting guidance from Hall of Fame wideout Cris Carter during workouts with his personal trainer this week in Los Angeles.

Carter explained his role as a mentor in an interview with Gary Myers of The New York Daily News.

"I told him, 'It's the first time you're the second-best wide receiver in the building. I know you don't like that, but get used to it. I'm the one with the (gold) jacket,'" Carter said. "His mind is in a great place. He knows what's at stake. He wants to work out to get better. Sometimes a personal trainer is better than the strength coach for the team."

Beckham was predictably the target of criticism for his absence, all despite the fact that these stages of offseason programs around the league are still voluntary.

Carter touched upon that out-of-proportion reaction, explaining that it really doesn't matter if he's around the team for workout sessions in May.

"With Odell, they go to extremes because it is him," he said. "In 108 days, he will be ready to play against the Dallas Cowboys. Is he with the Giants at OTAs? I don't care. It's not my job. My job as a former player is to help young players understand about the business. I'm committed to helping Odell get better. So as far as OTAs, that's somebody else's responsibility."

Beckham issued a "no comment" when asked Thursday by NFL Network's Kimberly Martin whether he'd report for any upcoming OTAs. He did say that he'd "for sure" be in attendance for a mandatory minicamp set to begin June 13, however, so this story should be going away sooner rather than later.

The 24-year-old will enter his fourth NFL season already having achieved bona fide superstar status. After three stellar showings to open his career, each of which led to a Pro Bowl appearance, it's also only a matter of time before he's paid accordingly.

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