Tom Coughlin set to play Victor Cruz in preseason game against Jaguars
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz #80 fields a punt during training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ, on Wednesday, Aug 5, 2015. Credit: Brad Penner
Tom Coughlin said Victor Cruz could play in multiple preseason games this summer. With only three remaining -- and the last one usually a day off for the veterans and starters -- that means the wide receiver could be back on the field Saturday against the Jaguars.
"We'll pick when he goes, but he's shown us everything," Coughlin said. "[Sunday] he did everything."
That he is practicing fully is one thing. That he is practicing well is a pleasant surprise. Cruz caught a touchdown pass from Eli Manning in Monday's practice and has looked sharp in his cuts and routes.
Cruz, coming off a torn patellar tendon, did not play in the preseason opener Friday but was with the team and took a handful of reps in the joint practices against the Bengals. "He's getting to where he needs to be and his mindset is outstanding," Coughlin said.
"We brought him to the game for a reason. We put him into the workout in Cincinnati for a reason. He didn't get a chance to play in the game but he saw it, he was into it, he was involved, he was mentally involved, and he's looking forward to going to the next step."
Spags crosses fingers on JPP
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said he doesn't know what the team is missing without the still-absent Jason Pierre-Paul. "It's hard for me to calculate that. I really haven't worked with him," Spagnuolo said. "So we'll keep our fingers crossed. Our prayers are with him for health. Until we can get him back here, we'll just focus on the guys that we've got."
Honoring Gifford, Ann Mara
John Mara said on WFAN that the team will have decals on their helmets with the No. 16 in honor of Frank Gifford and wear a patch on their jerseys to remember his mother, Ann Mara.
Giant steps
A fight broke out during one-on-one pass-rushing drills. It appeared to be between Damontre Moore and Ereck Flowers. Flowers was escorted away by teammates and Moore had to be settled down by a long chat with GM Jerry Reese . . . Geoff Schwartz practiced at guard and tackle on the right side for the second straight day. Coughlin said he does not have a set position and will be used where needed . . . DE George Selvie left practice early with a knee injury.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
