Victor Cruz sports Michael Jordan’s No. 45 jersey to mark return

New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz sported a Michael Jordan No. 45 jersey to mark his return after a torn patellar tendon ended his 2014 season after six games.

As professional sports “returns” go, it’s not a bad idea to echo Michael Jordan.

That’s what New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz did on Thursday when reporting for training camp wearing Jordan’s No. 45 Chicago Bulls jersey. Of course, Jordan donned the number when he came out of retirement for the first time in 1995 and could not initially reclaim his recently retired No. 23.

Cruz, who suffered a torn patellar tendon six games into the 2014 season, told reporters he was “93%” healthy on Thursday. Perhaps the Jordan homage will provide that remaining 7%.

The Giants practiced for the first time on Friday. Cruz and fellow receiver Odell Beckham Jr. are expected to be eased into at least the early portion of camp.

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- Mike Fiammetta