Victor Cruz still limited as New York Giants begin OTAs

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., May 23 (UPI) -- Football fans might never forget Victor Cruz's ugly knee injury in 2014, no matter their allegiance.

It's becoming ever harder to forget since he still hasn't made it on the field.

Cruz's long road to recovery hit another chapter Monday as the New York Giants began Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Instead of joining his teammates in drills, the 29-year-old is working on a side field, according to NJ.com's Jordan Raanan.

After signing with the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010, Cruz exploded in 2011. The wide receiver broke out his trademark salsa dance touchdown celebration nine times in 2011, while hauling in 82 receptions for 1,536 yards.

Cruz had 86 receptions for 1,092 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2012. His production took a hit in 2013, when he had 73 receptions for 998 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games. Cruz had 23 receptions for 337 yards and one score, in six games before his 2014 torn patella tendon in his right knee.

That season, a rookie named Odell Beckham Jr. arrived in town. Beckham Jr. broke the rookie touchdown record with 12 scores in 2014. He needed just 12 games to accomplish the feat.

In 2015, Beckham Jr. continued to establish himself as an elite NFL pass-catcher, hauling in 96 receptions for 1,450 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Cruz is due $1.3 million this season, but has playing-time incentives worth an additional $4.2 million. He is a free agent in 2019.

On May 10, Cruz told the New York Daily News that he is "planning to be a full go for training camp but has to see what trainers want to do." He also said he should be "good to go for week 1."