Victor Cruz Injury: Updates on Giants Star's Knee and Recovery

New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz tore the patellar tendon in his right knee during last season's Week 6 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles. Now he's trying to work his way back in order to be ready for the start of the 2015 NFL season. 

Continue for updates.

Cruz Expects to be Ready for Training Camp

Thursday, June 18

Cruz spoke about his personal timeline, saying he feels good, adding: "I don't think PUP is an option for me," via Sirius XM NFL Radio.

The wide receiver's comments echo what Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said on June 18, saying he doesn't expect Cruz to begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. Cruz voiced similar sentiments at the time, saying he expected to be cleared for light practicing by training camp, per Schwartz.

Cruz told Nick Powell of NJ Advance Media on June 16:

I want to come out here, come end of July, from a personal standpoint, and be kind of ready to go, be healthy, and from a physical standpoint, my wind, just have everything ready to go come July 29, July 30. Then let the training staff kind of pull me back and let me know what they want from that point [on], but I want to come in ready to go, energized, fully healthy, running, and be good to go.

Powell reported Cruz believes he could pass the team's conditioning test today, even though he hasn't taken part in team drills at this point in the offseason. Powell also noted that while Cruz has been relegated to running sprints on the sideline, he's making progress and hasn't suffered any setbacks.

Powell reported the wide receiver plans to use the six weeks off before camp to rehab and rest before going full-bore once the season starts.

Art Stapleton of the Record provided a comment from general manager Jerry Reese on May 4 regarding Cruz's anticipated return: "Opening day in Dallas, we expect him to walk out there and play for us."

Cruz was off to a bit of a slow start in 2014 before he was lost for the year, with 23 receptions for 337 yards and a score. To be fair, the Giants offense in general had a pretty up-and-down year. 

When healthy, Cruz is one of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL. A threat when working out of the slot, Cruz has accumulated 264 receptions, 3,963 yards and 24 touchdowns in his career. He was voted into the Pro Bowl in 2012 and was a 2011 Associated Press All-NFL Second Team selection in 2011.

The Giants are hoping he can fully recover and continue to be the star wideout he's been thus far in his NFL career. Pairing him with Odell Beckham Jr. would give the Giants one of the best receiving duos in the NFL and make their offense tough to contain.