Giants training camp: Victor Cruz, Odell Beckham highlight first practice

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Over the past couple of days wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr, and Victor Cruz, each battling their own injury issues, said they would be on the practice field Friday afternoon when the New York Giants held the first practice of their 2015 training camp.

They were both good to their word.

Beckham and Cruz were both on what head coach Tom Coughlin called "a pitch count." Still, both players took part in all phases of practice, the individual drills, as well as limited snaps in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.

Beckham provided a highlight when, lined up in the slot with Cruz outside of him, he took a quick pass from Eli Manning and then did Beckham things -- juking defenders and racing downfield to the delight of the fans at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Beckham, of course, missed the spring workouts with hamstring issues.

Cruz didn't have any true highlight plays. He did, however, have one play where he had to go to the ground in traffic to try and catch a low throw from Manning. The pass was incomplete, but the play was a success. Cruz got up unharmed, clearing a hurdle in his comeback from patellar tendon surgery.

One thing we saw from the Giants is that they will move their receivers, including Cruz and Beckham around. We saw Beckham in the slot with Cruz outside. We saw the reverse of that. We saw motion. We saw Beckham catch a swing pass while lined up at running back.

Yes, Odell Beckham Jr is also signing & signing & signing.... pic.twitter.com/inRjzKOSus

— Kimberly Jones (@KimJonesSports) July 31, 2015

Alignment stuff

A few notes about who was playing where.

Marshall Newhouse remained the right tackle with the first unit as the offensive line was unchanged from the spring. Brandon Mosley took second-team right tackle reps. .

The starting defensive ends were Robert Ayers and George Selvie. At defensive tackle, Cullen Jenkins and Markus Kuhn rotated next to Johnathan Hankins.

Safety Nat Berhe, who missed most of the spring with a calf injury, took limited reps with the third team near the end of practice. Like Cruz and Beckham, Coughlin said he is on a pitch count for now.

Practice highlights

Geremy Davis made a tremendous diving catch of a deep ball from Ryan Nassib. Jayron Hosley appeared to be in coverage on the play.

Dwayne Harris had a couple of highlights. He made several nifty cuts on a punt return and broke into the clear, getting cheers from the crowd. Of course, there was also no tackling. Harris also reached high to grab a pass from Ryan Nassib on a crossing route with Mykkele Thompson in coverage.

Tight end Jerome Cunningham, who spoke in the spring about his ability to be a deep threat, beat Bennett Jackson to catch a long throw from Nassib.

James Jones update

The Giants have still not officially signed free-agent wide receiver James Jones. Coughlin, however, said that Jones is expected in New Jersey on Friday night to take a physical.

"He's a veteran receiver, outstanding hands, been in this system, knows the system well. Should fit in well and compete," Coughlin said. "You're always looking for competition and he certainly will provide it."

Saturday's practice

The Giants will be back on the field again Saturday at 2:30 p.m. After practice, linebackers, fullbacks and tight ends will be signing autographs.

Grid View

• Tom Coughlin leads practice Noah K. Murray -- USA Today Sports
• Odell Beckham (13) and Victor Cruz play catch Noah K. Murray -- USA Today Sports
• Victor Cruz watches the action Noah K. Murray -- USA Today Sports
• Jameel McClain during a drill Noah K. Murray -- USA Today Sports
• Eli Manning throws one down field Noah K. Murray -- USA Today Sports
• Eli Manning calls signals Noah K. Murray -- USA Today Sports
• Odell Beckham after a catch Noah K. Murray -- USA Today Sports
• Gremy Davis with a diving catch Noah K. Murray -- USA Today Sports
• Shane Vereen runs with the ball Noah K. Murray -- USA Today Sports
• Jerome Cunningham chased by Bennett Jackson Noah K. Murray -- USA Today Sports
• Brandon Mosley with family after practice Noah K. Murray -- USA Today Sports