NFL

Giants’ Victor Cruz pulling for Marcus Harris to make team

The Giants’ third receiver spot is there, and Marcus Harris appears to be the one doing the taking.

An undrafted free agent who wasn’t able to stick with Big Blue last summer, Harris is dramatically improved this time around and is making the most of injuries and missed opportunities by his competition.

First-round pick Odell Beckham can’t even get on the field because of a hamstring injury, Trindon Holliday is out with the same problem and Jerrell Jernigan missed Wednesday’s practice with an apparent issue with his knee.

That has enabled Harris to get a straight line to the No. 3 spot behind starters Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Harris isn’t letting the chance go to waste, picking up in training camp where he left off in the spring.

After catching a team-high four passes for 49 yards in Sunday’s 17-13 win over the Bills in the Hall of Fame Game, Harris was at it again Wednesday, causing a big stir in 11-on-11 drills by tipping a pass to himself and then catching it just before falling out of bounds.

Harris has a big admirer in Cruz, who knows a thing or two about becoming an NFL star after going undrafted out of college.

“Marcus Harris, from the game he had and streaming into practice, he’s been really taking advantage of his opportunities, with a couple guys being down and things like that,” Cruz said. “He’s really coming to the forefront here as a good player. We’ll see how it goes, but he’s definitely one of the guys that’s standing out.”

Cruz appreciates Harris because Harris didn’t let his initial release by the Giants get him down. He immediately latched on with the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena League and became its 2013 Rookie of the Year with 94 catches for 1,223 yards and 19 touchdowns, as well as 1,200 return yards.

Harris could also return kicks with the Giants, thanks to Holliday’s continued absence.

Cruz will be backing him all the way.

“I’m always pulling for the no-name guys that kind of make it through the ranks because I was there,” Cruz said. “I was in their shoes, I know what it feels like. … I know exactly the things that he’s going through in his mind, and how it plays out. So those guys talk to me all the time and things like that. I always pull for those guys, and I’m happy he’s doing well.”