Victor Cruz suffered what appeared to be a serious injury in Sunday night’s contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, falling to the turf clutching his knee in obvious pain after missing what would have been a touchdown catch.
The injury took place midway through the third quarter. With the Giants trailing 20-0 and facing a fourth down deep in Philadelphia territory, the Giants opted to go for it, and Eli Manning found Cruz open in the corner of the endzone. But as the receiver jumped to catch the ball, it slipped from his grasp and Cruz fell to the turf.
Victor Cruz was seen writhing on the turf, screaming in pain. Later, when a medical cart took him from the field, Cruz was seen sobbing in pain.
The NBC broadcast crew reported that Cruz had torn the patellar tendon in his right knee. If true, it would be the same injury that Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne suffered earlier this season, which landed him on season-ending IR.
The injury comes before what appears to be a brutal stretch for the New York Giants. They travel to Dallas to face a resurgent Cowboys team next week, followed by contests against the Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, and then Dallas again on Sunday Night Football.
Cruz has been enjoying a solid season, with 21 catches with one touchdown and a team-high 321 yards and a touchdown.
With Cruz likely out for a long stretch, it could mean that rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. takes on a larger role in the team’s offense. Because the Giants often run three-wide receiver sets, other players will need to step up as well, including little-used Preston Parker.
It is unclear how long Victor Cruz could be out with the injury, but indications are that it could be season-ending .
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