Four days after surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his right knee, New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz expressed confidence Friday that the season-ending injury won't threaten his NFL career.
Speaking publicly for the first time since he was hurt Sunday in Philadelphia, Cruz said doctors told him the surgery went well, that they found no further damage in his knee and that the recovery time should be anywhere from four to eight months.
"They said my chances of coming back are very high," Cruz said on a conference call. "I'm excited for the process."
That process began with Monday's surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. It continues with about six weeks where his knee will be in a brace, and then with a lengthy rehab process.
Cruz said he's hopeful that he'll recover in time to take part in some of the Giants' offseason workouts, and that he strongly believes he'll return as strong as ever.
"I don't have any doubt in my mind," he said. "I don't have any doubt I'll be back. I believe I'll be in tip-top shape when the time is right."
In the meantime, Cruz said he wants to do what he can to help his teammates for the rest of this season. He said he's already been in touch with many of them, and that he prepared a video surprise for the Giants' Saturday night team meeting before this Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Cruz said some of his teammates have wondered whether he might have done some damage to the knee on the play before he went down in the end zone, but he said he didn't feel any change until just before he tried to leap and make a catch for what would have been a touchdown.
"I went into my route, turned and picked up the ball," he said. "As soon as I went to make a play on the ball, before I even jumped, I felt a pop. I felt a pop, something I'd never felt before in my life."
In the days since, he has seen still photos of the play, but hasn't watched the video and doesn't plan to.
Cruz said he has been overwhelmed by the support he has received from around the league, including from Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly, who visited him in the hospital. He said the other Giants receivers have told him they'll do his traditional salsa dance in the end zone if they score a touchdown Sunday.
"It just feels good," he said. "It feels good to know the guys are on my side."
Cruz said it was also important that he was able to continue with his charity work. He will be hosting a Halloween sports and science fair Oct. 25 in New York, to benefit after-school programs at Boys & Girls clubs in the area.