Giants WR Victor Cruz Out For Week 2 Matchup Against Atlanta Falcons

USA Today

Two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning will be without one of his best offensive weapons in the passing game once again in Week 2. The New York Giants will have to defend their home field on Sunday against the visiting Atlanta Falcons with wide receiver Victor Cruz stuck on the sidelines for a second straight week.

According to Marc Sessler of NFL.com, Cruz is dealing with a calf injury that doesn’t seem to be going anyway anytime soon:

The New York Giants will battle the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday minus the services of Victor Cruz.

The veteran wide receiver was ruled out Friday with the nagging calf injury that sidelined him all preseason and kept him out of last week’s opener against Dallas.

The Giants were able to hold their own against the division rival Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 without Cruz, but still came up short with Tony Romo throwing a game-winning touchdown to Jason Witten in the in the fourth quarter. Although Cruz is no longer the number one option in the passing game, with Odell Beckham Jr. taking over that distinction, New York having Cruz healthy downfield always makes them a more dangerous football team.

Currently, even with Cruz being ruled out in Week 2, the Giants are favored to bounce back from a devastating loss to the Cowboys in Week 1. New York is sporting a -2.5 point spread (Sportsbook.ag) heading into this matchup even though some would argue the Falcons are the better all-around squad at this point in time.

The Giants will may also be without linebacker Jon Beason in Week 2. Beason is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game due to a knee injury.