New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz took a significant pay cut to remain with the team this season and, after missing almost two full seasons due injuries, the once dynamic slot receiver is looking to a make a strong return to the field in 2016.
Cruz tore his patellar tendon in October 2014 against the Philadelphia Eagles and went on to miss the rest of the 2014 season, before suffering a calf injury this past season that forced him to miss the entire season. The Giants receiver was finally cleared to run back in late February and is looking to prove himself on the field in 2016.
Cruz posted a video on Instagram showing the progress he is making this offseason and his ability to sprint as well as put weight on the once injured leg. The video doesn't show Cruz's ability to make quick cuts with his knee, but he is likely progressing slowly, as he doesn't want to suffer any setbacks, which is something that ended any chance of a return last season.
Timing is everything. ⏱ @donellansports
A video posted by Victor Cruz (@teamvic) on Apr 5, 2016 at 5:10pm PDT
The Giants offense took a huge step forward in 2015 and, despite their poor record, showed the ability to be one of the top offenses in the NFL. The Giants finished the season as the sixth highest scoring team in the league, and quarterback Eli Manning put up some of his most impressive numbers in his career, finishing the season with a career-high 35 touchdown passes.
Manning has taken his game to another level since the Giants hired Ben McAdoo as their offensive coordinator, who they have since named as their next head coach. The emergence of Giants star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has also clearly elevated Manning's play, as he has been an immediate game-changer since entering the league.
The Giants lost wide receiver Rueben Randle in free agency to NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles, and many expect New York to target a wide receiver in the upcoming draft. While the Giants are clearly in need of a big redzone target after losing Randle in free agency, they may have a dynamic duo should Cruz return healthy this season.
Giants fans never got to fully see Cruz and Beckham work the field together, as Beckham's first full game came one game prior to Cruz's season-ending knee injury in 2014. Cruz's ability to get open down field, stay healthy and catch passes from Manning could be a huge factor for the Giants offense, but only time will tell if he can return to his old form.
