Chicago Bears training camp 2017: Five players who could turn heads in Bourbonnais
4. Victor Cruz
Now 30 years old and having recovered from two major leg injuries, Victor Cruz may not be the Pro Bowl-caliber player he was with the New York Giants here in Chicago. His underwhelming 2016 season should likely caution Bears fans about going all-in on him just yet
But with him ostensibly being back to 100%, perhaps Cruz still has a little bit more left to give as a player in addition to the mentorship he brings. And if he plays at anywhere near his accustomed level, he could end up as one of this training camp’s biggest success stories.
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Why he’ll succeed
With Cruz now on the wrong side of 30, it’s hard not to be somewhat concerned about his health going forward. After all, it only gets harder to endure the physical grind of the NFL, not easier, as you age.
But now that he’s three years removed from his patellar tendon tear and two years away from his season-ending calf injury, perhaps Cruz only now might be fully rounding back into form. Players with serious leg injuries often take about two years before truly regaining their full physical ability. That would, in theory, mean that Cruz could regain his form just in time to meaningfully help the Bears.
And if his health holds up, he could easily be one of the most versatile and dangerous receivers on the roster. He can line up inside and outside, run any route demanded of him, catch the ball in traffic and rack up yards after the catch. He’s even crafty enough to beat guys down the field despite not having elite speed.
Of course, there’s absolutely a chance that Cruz just isn’t the same player anymore and can’t crack the final roster. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t surprise most Bears fans, who have seen their share of has-beens crash and burn in training camp.
But given what he did last year in his first action since returning from severe injury, he could prove better than people expect for the Chicago Bears. And with the receiving pecking order in flux, Cruz could establish himself as a reliable target for whichever Bears quarterback is under center.