The New York Giants are hoping that Victor Cruz can return soon, but he likely will not be ready for Week 3 against the Washington Redskins on Thursday night. The team has started 0-2 and Eli Manning is ready for a rebound and this week, players like Odell Beckham, Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen and Larry Donnell are the best fantasy football options.
The Giants had chances to win their first two games and self-inflicted wounds and mistakes gave away those wins to the Cowboys and the Falcons. The team is now 0-2 for the third straight season and they are trying to dig out of that hole. Having Victor Cruz back will make things easier and while the wideout may not be ready for Week 3, he is making progress. According to the New York Daily News, Cruz has been able to start running in practice for the first time since he was injured in training camp.
Cruz is coming back from knee surgery and he is also dealing with a calf injury, which is what has kept him out since the preseason. The Giants wanted to be cautious with Cruz after he rehabbed from a serious knee injury, so in some ways the calf issue has helped the team ease him along. But the Giants need Cruz back on the field and that was proven with the way things went on Sunday. Preston Parker had some key drops and now he has been released, leaving Odell Beckham and Rueben Randle as the top two receivers ahead of Dwayne Harris and Geremy Davis.
Cruz said that the short week likely will keep him out for Week 3, but the team has previously targeted Week 4 as a realistic option for him to return. Last season the Giants only had Cruz and Beckham on the field for 60 snaps together and Eli Manning is hoping for much more than that this season. Last season Cruz had 23 catches in six games and that left Beckham to breakout with 91 catches and 12 touchdowns in just 12 games.
The Giants have the Redskins on Thursday and players like Rashad Jennings, Beckham, Larry Donnell and Shane Vereen are some of the best fantasy starters for Eli Manning. Vereen is a great option for PPR leagues after making eight catches against the Falcons, while Jennings is looking to get going after a slow start. Donnell should continue to get targets for Eli Manning with Cruz out, while Beckham is always worth starting no matter the opponent.
Jason Pierre-Paul is still working his way back from a hand injury and according to the New York Daily News, JPP released a video of him working out on social media. JPP and the Giants have not been able to come to an agreement about when JPP will return, as the defensive end continues to claim he can play, but the Giants likely are not sure he is ready to come back following his fireworks accident. Pictures were released by the News of JPP that showed his amputated finger and thumb injuries and that is the main concern for the Giants in bringing him back.
