Jerrel Jernigan

The struggling New York Giants have a fresh reason to push for first-round draft pick Odell Beckham's return from a nagging hamstring injury.

The team announced Tuesday that wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan has been placed on season-ending injured reserve with a dreaded mid-foot sprain. He will wear a protective boot and rehab the foot.

A third-round draft pick in 2011, Jernigan started alongside Victor Cruz and Reuben Randle in a three-wide receiver alignment against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2.

Jernigan looked like a huge sleeper candidate in 2014 until the team drafted Beckham. Then Jernigan was back in the picture with Beckham unable to get on the field much of camp. But now, it's another blow to the Giants offense. Although Jernigan closed out the 2013 season in impressive fashion with 237 yards over the final three games, he managed just 40 yards on nine targets as Eli Manning's No. 3 receiver this month. A free agent in 2015, he's a good bet to seek greener pastures, the story said. Corey Washington could get more action if Beckham can't go this week.