Victor Cruz says his calf continues to progress and he's pain free. #Giants pic.twitter.com/wpnGH641P5
— New York Giants (@Giants) September 22, 2015
Wide receiver Victor Cruz made his first appearance on the New York Giants' practice field in five weeks on Tuesday. Cruz was listed by the team as "Did Not Practice," but he did run on the wide with trainers. Cruz said it "felt good" to run on the grass, but said he would have to make a "a lot" of improvement to have a chance to play Thursday night against the Washington Redskins.
"It would have to be a lot. If you know Coach Coughlin, it's going to take a lot. So we'll see, I'm going to keep continuing to put the work in myself, and we'll see where this takes me. But with TC, it gets tough," Cruz said. "I'm closer. There's no pain in there anymore, so it's just a matter of getting the confidence back to running on it and cutting on it, things like that. And then we'll go from there."
Should Cruz continue to progress it seems a realistic target for his return would be the Week 4 game in Orchard Park against the Buffalo Bills.
Cruz has not played since suffering a torn patellar tendon in Week 6 of the 2014 season.
"It's pretty hard. I've been patient for about 11 months now. It's been hard, man, but you know you've got to stay the course," Cruz said. "You're not going to do the team any good if you're out there at 60, 70 percent. You want to go out there 100 percent, being able to help this team win at the top of your ability, at the best of your ability, and that's what I want to do."
Beason could be a go on Thursday
Middle linebacker Jon Beason, who has not played since the first preseason game due to a knee injury, was listed as a full participant in practice on Tuesday. Provided Beason does not experience discomfort in his his knee following Tuesday's practice, it sounds as if he could be available Thursday night.
Jon Beason getting after it with Spags out at #NYGQuest! 2 days until we play Washington! pic.twitter.com/sbz7L7rC9s
— New York Giants (@Giants) September 22, 2015
Beason said he feels "fresh" since he hasn't played.
"I hope to play this week, I feel good, and hopefully I get the opportunity on Thursday," Beason said on Tuesday. "I'm just looking for the nod, just looking for the nod, that's it. Going into the season, it was still sore and years past I would risk it all for one play, you play in one game and you end of missing a lot more, so it was probably the smartest thing to do, maybe give something back early to gain a lot in the end."
Full Injury Report
Did Not Practice
WR Victor Cruz (calf) ... apparently, running on the side does not count
TE Jerome Cunningham (knee)
OT Ereck Flowers (ankle)
DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa (foot)
CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (concussion)
Limited Practice
DE Robert Ayers (hamstring)
DT Jay Bromley (knee)
Full Practice
MLB Jon Beason (knee)
TE Daniel Fells (foot)
OL Geoff Schwartz (illness)
DL Cullen Jenkins (hamstring)