The New York Giants are one step closer to getting salsa-dancing wideout Victor Cruz back onto the field. Cruz, sidelined since a patellar injury last Oct., has made enough progress in recent weeks that there is now "guarded optimism" over his status. Cruz apparently has no pain in his left calf and if all goes well during a Wednesday MRI, Cruz may be on the verge of clearance to return to running and the field, according to a report from Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com.
While Stapleton notes that it remains "unlikely" Cruz could find his way back in time for the Giants' NFC East clash against division foes, the Dallas Cowboys, the next week's game against the New Orleans Saints could potentially become a "realistic target" if all goes well between now and then.
Of course, not much has gone well of late for Cruz.
The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent hasn't been able to participate fully in a Giants practice since Aug. 17. He entered this season attempting to come back from a torn patellar tendon in his right knee, suffered on Oct. 12 of last year. Some have questioned not only his ability to return to form this season, but perhaps his ability to even continue his NFL career.
As a smaller receiver who succeeds with his elite speed in and out of breaks, if Cruz does return to the field in a more limited athletic fashion, concerns over his long-term prospects could turn out to be legitimate. But if he's able to overcome the recent strained calf setback and put the patellar injury behind him, he could provide a big boost to a Giants team that needs to score all the points it can on a week-to-week basis thanks to a pass defense that simply hasn't been able to overcome a plethora of injuries of their own.