New York Giants

Giants receiver Victor Cruz begins cutting, feels '75-80 percent'

Published May. 13, 2015 10:45 a.m. ET

foxsports

New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz has just taken a major step forward in his recovery from a torn right patellar tendon. Up until recently, Cruz had been doing only straight-line running. Now, he has begun cutting.

"We got [to cutting]," Cruz said Tuesday night prior to the 22nd annual United Way of New York City Gridiron Gala at the Hilton in Manhattan. "We started running some intermediate routes on air and stuff like that. It's feeling good. It's feeling tood so far. I think I'm 75-80 percent right now. It's just a matter of building it."

While it is easy for a player to regain straight-line speed, running side to side and cutting often takes more time for a player recovering from major knee surgery. Cruz's ability to establish his once unique lateral movement ability will be key in his quest to regain form.

Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara has talked to Cruz about this step in his recovery.

"I've only seen Victor run straight ahead. I asked him the other day, 'Hey have you been doing any side to side?' And he got all cocky and tried to come at me and say, 'Yeah you'll see me' or whatever," said Amukamara, at Tuesday's gala. "He said he did side to side a couple of days ago.

While lateral movement was a major component to Cruz's Pro Bowl-caliber game, it has always been his first step burst that defined him as a wide receiver. Amukamara asked Cruz specifically if he's going to get his first step back.

"When Victor comes off the ball he's got that quick twitch quick step, and he said it's coming along," said Amukamara.

Most important, Cruz hasn't dealt with any setbacks of any sort. He continues to progress forward in his rehab. So what's next for Cruz?

"More running on air, continuing to build on that foundation, continuing to build more mental confidence on my knee and what it can do and take it from there," Cruz said.

Cruz's recovery will take time, but the Giants are in no rush. Don't expect to see Cruz on the field for minicamps and OTAs, but he is trending in the right direction to possibly see some action in training camp and maybe even the preseason.

(h/t True Jersey)