:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47319384/usa-today-8126912.0.jpg)
We already knew that New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz was going to miss Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. Cruz pulled himself out of his first practice back from a calf injury that has plagued him since preseason after teammates noted that he didn't look "right" during individual drills.
In a new report, Victor Cruz has received a Platelet Rich Plasma -- or PRP -- injection to help promote healing in his injured calf.
Source confirms #Giants WR Victor Cruz had a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection yesterday to help in the healing of his strained left calf
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) October 2, 2015
It seems that Cruz's decision to undergo the painful injection was encouraged by teammate Rueben Randle.
#Giants WR Reuben Randle told me he discussed w/ & encouraged Victor Cruz thr/ his contemplation of a PRP shot. Procedure likely was Thurs.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 2, 2015
Randle told me he had a PRP shot in both knees & "it definitely helped me." Randle feels Cruz getting a PRP shot n t/ calf will b beneficial
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 2, 2015
For those who don't know, in PRP injections, the patent's own blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to concentrate their own platelets and growth factors. That plasma is then immediately injected back into the injured tissue.
Speaking with reporters on Friday, Cruz confirmed undergoing the procedure.
For more information, follow this [LINK] for information from the Hospital for Special Surgery.
While the PRP injection will ultimately lead to speedier -- and better -- healing of Cruz's injury, it likely delays his return as it generally takes 2-6 weeks to take effect. If the Giants anticipate that Cruz could take the full 6 weeks, they could put him on the Injured Reserve with the Designated To Return tag. Under that tag, Cruz would be on the IR for six weeks, and then eligible to return after eight weeks.