NFL

Victor Cruz has season-ending knee surgery

Victor Cruz traveled to Florida on Thursday to get a second opinion on his ailing left knee and did not leave until he had a procedure that will end his 2013 season.

Cruz came out of last Sunday’s 23-0 loss to the Seahawks with not only a knee issue but also a concussion. He was cleared of the concussion but the knee proved more problematic, and he underwent an arthroscopic debridement, performed by Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola.

The usual recovery time for this procedure is three-to-four weeks, but the Giants close down for the season after their Dec. 29 game against the Redskins. This was a relatively minor injury, as Cruz’s ligaments are intact. The debridement cleaned away any cartilage that came loose from the injury.

The Giants are unlikely to put Cruz on injured reserve, though, as they are up against the salary cap as far as adding another player to the roster.

Cruz played in 46 consecutive regular-season games. He finishes 2013 with 73 receptions and 998 receiving yards, leaving him 2 yards shy of becoming the fourth player in Giants history to record 1,000 yards receiving in three straight seasons.

Cruz was injured late in the third quarter when he leaped to haul in a pass from Eli Manning for a 16-yard gain. He was hit by Seattle defensive back Jeremy Lane, came down hard and crashed to the turf. Cruz stayed down for a moment before slowly getting to his feet. The reception would have given Cruz 1,014 receiving yards for the season but the catch was challenged by Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and the ruling on the field was reversed, wiping out the catch and the yards for Cruz.

Prior to the season, Cruz signed a six-year, $45.879 million contract. Facing increased attention, Cruz did not have an especially dynamic season, and managed only four touchdowns, none since Sept. 29 in Kansas City.

Rueben Randle will start in place of Cruz, with Jerrel Jernigan moving in as the slot receiver.