Cruz turns in another impressive practice

Victor Cruz practiced for the second straight day without any limitations on Wednesday, increasing the chances he will make his long-awaited return Saturday against the Jets.

Cruz, who had been out since Aug. 9 with tightness in his groin, showed no signs of a setback and again looked sharp on his routes, including a nice catch in the corner of the end zone from Eli Manning.

“Victor looked great,” offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan said. “He’s had two strong days, got a lot of balls thrown to him, getting back into the mix of things. We’re excited about where he’s at [and] hopefully he’ll have his opportunities against the Jets.”

Though Sullivan didn’t know definitively if Cruz — who has undergone knee and calf surgeries — would play for the first time since Oct. 12, 2014, the coach had an idea of what could happen if the receiver returned.

“There was the suddenness, the explosiveness, the things that I have in mind, vi- sions of 2011 in terms of that type of quickness,” Sullivan said. “So obviously that is something to be excited about, and again, we’re just progressing and hoping for the best.”

Cornerback Eli Apple, who was out against Buffalo because of a leg injury, said he isn’t yet 100 percent but is “close” and expects to play Saturday.

Backup quarterback Ryan Nassib has committed four turnovers in the first two preseason games, but the Giants aren’t considering making a switch behind Manning anytime soon.

“He’s had a couple plays that I’m sure he wishes he had back, but in terms of pushing any type of panic button on him by no means is that in our thought process at all,” Sullivan said.

Justin Pugh (shoulder) was limited. Mykkele Thompson (concussion), Will Johnson (burner) and Matt LaCosse (knee) did not practice.