New York Giants Rumors: Victor Cruz Returns Soon? Odell Beckham Sets Wide Receiver NFL Records For First 16 Career Games

Oct 05, 2015 02:10 PM EDT
Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants
Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants reaches for a pass as Stephon Gilmore #24 of the Buffalo Bills defends during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 4, 2015 in Orchard Park, New York."

The New York Giants are hoping that Victor Cruz can return from injury soon, but in the meantime the team has Odell Beckham setting NFL records at the wide receiver position in his absence. According to Pro Football Talk, Beckham is off to the best start of any receiver in NFL history through his first 16 games, setting records for receptions and yards in that stretch.

The Giants have been without Cruz since Week 6 of last season and his absence has coincided with the rise of Beckham. Last year the Giants drafted Beckham in the first round and he made his first appearance with the team in Week 4. Cruz went down in Week 6 against the Eagles with a knee injury and he has been out this year while dealing with a calf injury. Beckham exploded onto the scene last season and put up great numbers as a rookie and he has continued to be productive for the Giants.

According to NFL.com stats, Beckham has 115 catches and 1612 yards through the first 16 games of his career and that puts him number one for players at his position all-time in receptions and receiving yards over that opening stretch. Beckham is second on the list for receiving touchdowns in that time behind Randy Moss, who has 17, while Beckham has 14 in 16 games.

Pro Football Talk reports that Anquan Boldin previously had the record for catches while with the Arizona Cardinals with 101 receptions, while Bill Groman of the Houston Oilers had 1593 yards back in 1960-61 over his first 16 games. Beckham has been exceptional for the Giants and he became a superstar overnight with his one-handed catch against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night football last season. Beckham has continued to play a key role for the Giants and he likely will be the number one receiver even when Cruz returns.

This season Beckham has put up solid numbers with 24 catches for 307 yards and two touchdowns through four games. As a rookie Beckham put up strong numbers with 91 catches for 1305 yards and 12 touchdowns in just 12 games and he had seven 100-plus yard games over that stretch. Cruz is dealing with a calf injury and according to the New York Daily News, Cruz is getting plasma treatments to help heal his injury after re-aggravating it last week.

The News reports that according to sports doctor David J. Chao, the injections can take between two weeks and a month to get going and that could keep Cruz out for a stretch. Cruz was set to return in Week 4 before injuring his calf again and now his return to the team is uncertain. Cruz has not played yet this season and he did not appear in the preseason for the Giants.

Check here for more on the Giants, Beckham and Cruz.

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