WATCH: Victor Cruz Looks Like He’s Ready to Play for the First Time Since 2014
Coming back from multiple injuries is tough for athletes to do. But that’s exactly what New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz is trying to do in preparation for the upcoming 2016 NFL season.
Midway through the 2014 season, Cruz tore his patellar tendon. The injury caused him to sit out the rest of the season. The Giants were expecting him to return to the field in 2015; however, a lingering calf injury kept Cruz sidelined for the entire year.
RELATED: Victor Cruz is Killing It in the Gym As He Recovers From a Major Calf Injury
Cruz is looking to stay healthy this season, and he seems to be off to a good start. Videos on the internet show the 29-year-old looking like his former healthy self during Giants off-season practices. In a receiver drill, Cruz sprints full speed out of his stance, breaks on a dime and jumps up, extending his body to make a nice catch.
WATCH: So far, so good for Victor Cruz. #Giants pic.twitter.com/XqwfOD7t4u
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) June 14, 2016
Hey hey hey that’s Victor Cruz catching a pass at Giants mini-camp. pic.twitter.com/pMEnG2LQIb — Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) June 14, 2016
Cruz’s progress is due to the insane amount of work he’s been putting in at the gym this off-season. The Pro Bowler has posted a few workout videos to show the progress he’s made and stated his hope to return and make an immediate impact for the Giants’ offense.
The Dumbbell Bench Press prepares the 6-foot, 200-pound receiver to use his upper-body strength against smaller defenders while blocking them or grabbing jump balls.
Cruz uses Weighted Single-Leg Squats to build his lower-body strength, stability and balance—keys for a receiver to control his body while maintaining his route, fighting for position against a defensive back and making difficult sideline grabs.
[instagram src=”https://www.instagram.com/p/BDQmfMmueZC/?taken-by=teamvic”]Resisted Pool Sprints help Cruz train for speed, strength and running form. The low impact exercise helps reduce stress on his lower body.
[instagram src=”https://www.instagram.com/p/BD1pRvoueSU/?taken-by=teamvic”]Box Jumps increase lower-body explosion to boost Cruz’s speed off the ball and his jumping to make catches. As you can see in the video above, Cruz is able to get way up. He also performs Single-Leg Physioball Hamstring Curls, which enhance hamstring and glute strength by maintaining the back bridge throughout the exercise. To increase his full-body strength, he performs Barbell Overhead Squats.
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WATCH: Victor Cruz Looks Like He’s Ready to Play for the First Time Since 2014
Coming back from multiple injuries is tough for athletes to do. But that’s exactly what New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz is trying to do in preparation for the upcoming 2016 NFL season.
Midway through the 2014 season, Cruz tore his patellar tendon. The injury caused him to sit out the rest of the season. The Giants were expecting him to return to the field in 2015; however, a lingering calf injury kept Cruz sidelined for the entire year.
RELATED: Victor Cruz is Killing It in the Gym As He Recovers From a Major Calf Injury
Cruz is looking to stay healthy this season, and he seems to be off to a good start. Videos on the internet show the 29-year-old looking like his former healthy self during Giants off-season practices. In a receiver drill, Cruz sprints full speed out of his stance, breaks on a dime and jumps up, extending his body to make a nice catch.
WATCH: So far, so good for Victor Cruz. #Giants pic.twitter.com/XqwfOD7t4u
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) June 14, 2016
Hey hey hey that’s Victor Cruz catching a pass at Giants mini-camp. pic.twitter.com/pMEnG2LQIb — Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) June 14, 2016
Cruz’s progress is due to the insane amount of work he’s been putting in at the gym this off-season. The Pro Bowler has posted a few workout videos to show the progress he’s made and stated his hope to return and make an immediate impact for the Giants’ offense.
The Dumbbell Bench Press prepares the 6-foot, 200-pound receiver to use his upper-body strength against smaller defenders while blocking them or grabbing jump balls.
[instagram src=”https://www.instagram.com/p/BC75qTAOeU9/?taken-by=teamvic”]Cruz uses Weighted Single-Leg Squats to build his lower-body strength, stability and balance—keys for a receiver to control his body while maintaining his route, fighting for position against a defensive back and making difficult sideline grabs.
[instagram src=”https://www.instagram.com/p/BDQmfMmueZC/?taken-by=teamvic”]Resisted Pool Sprints help Cruz train for speed, strength and running form. The low impact exercise helps reduce stress on his lower body.
Box Jumps increase lower-body explosion to boost Cruz’s speed off the ball and his jumping to make catches. As you can see in the video above, Cruz is able to get way up. He also performs Single-Leg Physioball Hamstring Curls, which enhance hamstring and glute strength by maintaining the back bridge throughout the exercise. To increase his full-body strength, he performs Barbell Overhead Squats.