In addition to their four defensive backs – Landon Collins, Mykkele Thompson, Jayron Hosley and Trumaine McBride – wide receiver Rueben Randle also suffered a setback during Friday’s 23-10 preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, being pulled from the game after only three offensive snaps due to a flare-up of his knee tendonitis.
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The return of Victor Cruz won’t take away from the fact that Odell Beckham Jr. will continue to be a huge threat for the Giants.
Cruz has been recovering since an injury in November against the Philadelphia Eagles in which he tore his patellar tendon in his right knee.
Coughlin said the Giants decided to let Randle play in spite of the missed practices and discouraging warmup because he wanted to play and he wasn’t going to play much anyway.
Cruz expects to be a full participant in practice on Monday evening.
“I feel good. The knee is 100%”, Cruz told WFAN.
The Giants figure to be loaded in a version of the West Coast offense that quarterback Eli Manning mastered as last season progressed. “(Sunday) was probably my most physically enduring practice, in terms of limitations. They’ve been keeping me down to a certain number of plays per day so (Sunday) was probably my most practice. I felt good. I woke up [Monday] morning, felt good; no pain, no swelling. {Sunday] was my most.
“I feel like I’ve crossed that bridge”.
Coughlin would not rule out the possibility of Cruz playing in Saturday’s preseason game against the Jaguars.
Cruz thinks he’ll be able to provide that spark soon.
Whatever the percentage, Cruz feels ready to play. Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reports he later asked Cruz if that was correct, leading Cruz to say he didn’t make that assessment of his condition. We brought him to the (preseason opener at Cincinnati) for a reason. We’re still hesitant to declare him “back” until we see him in live game action – patellar tears could easily sap his unique speed and burst.
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It sounds like Victor Cruz will get his wish.
