MINNEAPOLIS -- Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Texans defensive end J.J. Watt bumped into one another on the red carpet of the NFL Honors awards show on Saturday night.
Beckham, who was limited to four games this season by an ankle injury, offered a friendly challenge to Watt, who was limited to five games by a broken leg.
"Comeback Player of the Year?" Beckham said.
"It's gonna be the battle of a lifetime, brother," Watt responded.
It will be a crowded field due to the amount of star players who suffered major injuries this season, including Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and Cardinals running back David Johnson.
Beckham is confident in his chances because of the progress he's making from the fractured ankle he suffered in Week 5.
"I don't know a percentage, but I'm actually doing really good," Beckham said. "(Doctors) tell me to slow down because I've been out for so long and I'm ready to go, I'm ready to go. Now I can see where the mental part comes in as far as being patient and knowing you can't push too much right now or you need to push more. Just kind of finding that balance, so I'm actually doing really good."
Beckham was asked if he'll be ready to participate in Organized Team Activities this spring, but that's clearly not his focus.
"There's no point," Beckham said. "Really to be ready for the first game is really all I'm worried about, so I can be 100 percent."
Beckham "will certainly be fine by training camp," according to a source. Beckham has posted videos on social media this week that show him running on an anti-gravity treadmill.
When healthy, Beckham is eager to work with new coach Pat Shurmur, who produced a dangerous attack as the Vikings' offensive coordinator this season. Beckham sees himself fitting well into Shurmur's offense.
"That seems pretty obvious," Beckham said. "Watching what they do and just putting myself in that situation, I know that I'd be doing some pretty good things for our team."
Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.