New York Giants

Giants release WR Victor Cruz after seven seasons

Published Feb. 13, 2017 3:57 p.m. ET

Cameron DaSilva

The New York Giants made their first major move of the offseason on Monday, releasing veteran wide receiver Victor Cruz, the team announced on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/Giants/status/831215969460707329

After missing all of 2015 and playing just six games in 2014, Cruz rebounded this season to catch 39 passes for 586 yards and one touchdown. He started 12 games for the Giants, and while he went relatively unnoticed in a few games, he did help open up the offense a bit.

Cruz is one of the best stories in the NFL. As an undrafted rookie in 2010, he blew up in the preseason, leading the league with 297 receiving yards. It earned him a spot on the active roster, but he was placed on injured reserve after three games due to a hamstring injury.

He thanked fans with a heartfelt Instagram post following his release.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQdqzHMhSOj/?taken-by=teamvic&hl=en

The Giants save $7.5 million in cap space by releasing Cruz, who was set to count $9.4 million against the cap this season. He finishes his Giants career with 303 receptions for 4,549 yards and 25 touchdowns.