The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Cruz off and running in camp
Giants wide receiver full participant after injury-ruined years.
Victor Cruz is back a lot sooner than anyone expected. After missing all of last season and being limited to six games over the past two, the New York Giants receiver was a full-go as the team held its first practice at training camp Friday under new coach Ben McAdoo.
With the Giants indoors because of overnight rain, the workout looked more like a slow-speed organized team activity.
Cruz didn’t seem to care. He participated in every drill. He caught passes. He worked at recovering fumbles, knocking off some of the rust. The nearby Paterson, N.J. product didn’t show any signs of being limited either by his knee or the calf injury that plagued him last year.
“I was just happy to be out there with the guys,” said the 29-year-old Cruz.
The next step will be doing it in practice and then games.
Cruz is confident that he can return to being a bigthreat playmaker, like he was in 2011-13 before the injuries set in.
“I think as these days progress and as these days go on, that’s the plan. That’s the goal, to be myself,” Cruz said. “If I am not where I once was, there is no reason to be out here.”
Chargers: A day devoted to hotel check-ins, medical evaluations, conditioning tests and meetings will be remembered more in San Diego for who didn’t check in: First-round draft pick Joey Bosa was not present Friday as his holdout begins.
The Chargers have been unable to reach contractual terms with their defensive end and No. 3 overall pick. The disagreement is over what percentage of Bosa’s signing bonus should be deferred to the 2017 calendar year.
Dolphins: Defensive end Dion Jordan, the No. 3 overall pick of the 2013 draft who was suspended in April 2015 following multiple violations of the NFL’s drug policy, was reinstated by the league on a conditional basis.
Jordan, 26, is eligible to join the team at training camp today but will be evaluated later in the season to gain full reinstatement, the NFL said in its statement.
First-year Dolphins coach Adam Gase, who learned of Jordan’s reinstatement shortly after his team’s opening practice of training camp Friday morning, said he’s unsure what role Jordan will play when he returns.
Cowboys: Rolando McClain remains on the Dallas roster. The Cowboys are saying little else about the enigmatic linebacker who hasn’t reported to training camp in California. Owner Jerry Jones said Friday on the eve of the first camp practice that he isn’t ready to dump McClain despite a 10-game suspension to start the season and his absence most of the offseason.
Titans: Agreed to terms with seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson. The 6-foot-3 Johnson has 1,053 catches for 14,100 yards and 68 touchdowns. He ranks eighth in NFL history with receptions and ninth in yards receiving, leading active players.
Chiefs: All-Pro safety Eric Berry did not report with the rest of the veterans. Berry was designated the Chiefs’ franchise player but has not yet signed his contract, which means he cannot be disciplined for skipping camp. But considering the one-year deal promises to pay him more than $10.8 million, Berry is expected to sign before the season.
Ravens: Offensive tackle Jake Long and the Ravens have been unable to find compromise after the player’s physical turned up some concerns about his twice surgically repaired right knee. Long tore his ACL in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
Jaguars: Oft-injured receiver Marqise Lee stayed healthy for one day in training camp. Lee was held out of practice with a left hamstring injury, the latest setback for a third-year pro who can’t seem to stay on the field. Lee has missed significant time with ankle, hamstring and knee injuries.
Lions: Signed cornerback Darius Slay to a contract extension through the 2020 season. Slay was heading into the fourth and final season of his rookie deal and has become the team’s top corner.