New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz and linebacker Jon Beason will not play in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, according to Michael Eisen of Giants.com.
Cruz tore his right patellar tendon against the Philadelphia Eagles last season and missed 10 games, but he is sitting out week one because of a calf injury. "He's getting better. He's improved, no doubt," said head coach Tom Coughlin, via Giants.com.
Without Cruz on the field, players like Odell Beckham Jr., Rueben Randle, Dwayne Harris, Preston Parker and rookie Geremy Davis will need to step up. Look for Beckham and tight end Larry Donnell to be quarterback Eli Manning's go- to targets against the Cowboys Sunday night. Randle and Parker are likely to be the next targets hit for Manning, but keep an eye on Davis out of UConn because it will be interesting to see if the Giants insert him in the lineup.
Losing Cruz is a blow to the Giants, but losing Beason could be detrimental for the Giants defense. Beason injured his knee in a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. While he has practiced on a limited basis this week, he hasn't improved enough to go on Sunday. "Didn't get to the point where he felt he could play and play the way he would like to. And the medical people agree," said Coughlin, via Giants.com.
Rookie linebacker Uani' Unga will step in to fill the veteran's role, and he will have big shoes to fill. "We've had a preseason and a good full day yesterday with Unga in that position. So, I think a young guy, obviously who has not had that much experience in there, but he'll give great effort," said Coughlin, via Giants.com
The Cowboys won the NFC East division last season, and the Giants are likely to have their hands full this Sunday, especially without Cruz and Beason.
