IRVING, Texas -- The New York Giants don’t know if Victor Cruz will play Sunday because of a strained calf that has not allowed him to practice this week or play much at all this summer.
That’s good news for the Dallas Cowboys, especially with Orlando Scandrick out for the season with a knee injury.
While the Cowboys are confident in Tyler Patmon, who will replace Scandrick in the slot, it would be best to break him in slowly to such an important role against receivers not as accomplished as Cruz.
Of course, Jason Garrett doesn’t view it that way.
“He’s always been someone who has a real kind of feisty, fighting nature to him,” Garrett said. “He’s a very competitive guy in practice, and he certainly has been in games when he has gotten an opportunity. I think he recognizes where he is, but his approach has been the same. It’s been the same since he got here.”
Patmon played in 11 games as a rookie and had an interception return for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals. He was having a strong training camp before Scandrick got hurt and has not faltered since being inserted into the first-team nickel defense.
“I don’t get overexcited because I know when it comes to game time I’m going to have to be in a certain mindset and be focused,” Patmon said. “It’s hard but it just comes down to waiting and being patient.”
Scandrick found that balance of patience and attacking after playing in the slot for so many years. He knew how to time blitzes while also understanding route combinations. Patmon will have to learn some of it on the fly and has watched a lot of Scandrick vs. Cruz to get ready for the Giants offense -- whether the receiver plays or not.
“We’ve definitely looked at Cruz,” Patmon said. “I’ve looked at [Odell Beckham Jr.] and I’ve looked at [Preston Parker] in there too. Whoever’s in there I’m just going to be ready to play.”
