A patella tendon tear is a notoriously difficult injury to recover from. Of 24 such cases from 1994 to 2004, only 19 players returned to play in at least one NFL game. Recent examples include safety Jim Leonhard and running back Ryan Williams, neither of whom have found much success since their injuries.
Although the New York Giants expect wide receiver Victor Cruz back this season, there's no guarantee he will be the same player he once was.
"You've got to prepare as if, 'What if Victor Cruz doesn't comeback,'" Giants general manager Jerry Reese said late last season. "If you are a personnel guy, or a general manager, that is always in the back of your head. What if this guy doesn't come back and be the player that we think he is?"
New York may consider drafting a wide receiver next year depending on how Cruz plays. If that is the case, WalterFootball.com projects it to be Pittsburgh's Tyler Boyd.
"The Giants were going to consider one of the top receivers if either fell to them at No. 9 in the past draft. Both Amari Cooper and Kevin White were off the board, however, so New York could look at the position next spring. The team needs a second wideout because Victor Cruz's career could effectively be over."
Boyd caught 78 passes for 1,261 yards and eight touchdowns last year. He would pair with Odell Beckham Jr. to form a talented, dynamic and young wide receiving corps in New York. But Cruz, 28, will get every opportunity to prove his health and effectiveness to the Giants this season.
Cruz suffered the injury in October and his recovery time was estimated at nine months. This would put him on track to start getting reps in the preseason and hopefully start in Week 1.
