Tom Coughlin Comments on Odell Beckham Jr.'s Actions vs. Panthers

New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin didn't condone Odell Beckham Jr.'s actions Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, but he'll continue to stand behind his star wideout.  

"I will not defend his actions yesterday because they were wrong," Coughlin said Monday, per Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. "This particular organization does not tolerate that, but I will defend the young man, the person."

Beckham was matched up with Josh Norman for most of the Giants' Week 15 loss to Carolina, and the interactions between him and the Panthers cornerback became increasingly physical throughout the game. Beckham's biggest transgression was a helmet-to-helmet block on Norman in the third quarter. The play occurs at the 1:49 mark of the video below:

After the game, Beckham declined to go into detail about any of his on-field incidents with Norman:

Coughlin said he considered benching Beckham during the game but decided against it, per Jordan Raanan of NJ Advance Media: "He's got to learn at some point how to deal with some things on the field. Again, he's a player on our team and he made some mistakes today, but I'm hoping he will recognize that and get over it."

"It is an ongoing process, the education of young players," Coughlin added Monday, per Newsday's Tom Rock.

The league has yet to issue any punishment for Beckham. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the possibility of a one- or two-game suspension exists. Coughlin was unable to go into specifics about any retrospective action by the NFL but told the press "there was some talk about fines," per Vacchiano.

The Giants play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in a game that is critical for their playoff chances. New York is one game back of the NFC East-leading Washington Redskins. A defeat in Week 16 could eliminate the Giants from postseason contention.

As a result, Coughlin will be hopeful he can count on Beckham being on the field against the Vikings.