victor cruz reached what very well may be the end of his football road on Friday. After signing him as an insurance policy for the receiving corps during the offseason, the Chicago Bears cut the receiver ahead of Saturday's deadline. Trouble started brewing for the receiver when he was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Friday night. The team clearly decided they wanted to focus on their healthy and young receivers, rather than a player whose career has been crushed by bad luck.
Cruz loses his job
Art Stapleton of The Record was the first to report the news.
The 30-year-old had signed a one-year deal with the Bears during the offseason to shore up the receiving ranks. He didn't do much in the preseason to demonstrate that he was worthy of that contract, though. He caught just six passes for 28 yards and a touchdown, doing little to distinguish himself from the other receivers competing for a job with the team. He also suffered a knee injury during the team's preseason finale, which required an MRI (which he'll reportedly still get).
BREAKING: The #Bears are releasing former @Giants WR Victor Cruz, per source.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) September 1, 2017
It should serve as little surprise that injuries did Cruz in once again. He was one of the league's most dynamic and exciting receivers when he played for the New York Giants, known for his pass-catching and salsa dancing in the end zone.
The Pro Bowl receiver suffered a torn patellar tendon in 2014, however, and was never the same. The Giants released him in February. Things were supposed to be different in Chicago, but it ultimately wasn't meant to be.
More Bears transactions
Cruz was far from the only offensive player to get the boot from Chicago on Friday, one day before rosters needed to shrink down to 53 players, Quarterback Connor Shaw was waived with an injury designation, leaving three quarterbacks left.
Tight end MyCole Pruitt was placed on waivers as well, which was not a major surprise. Fullback Freddie Stevenson and offensive linemen Taylor Boggs, Will Poehls, Mitchell Kirsch, and Cyril Richardson will join him there.
A couple of defensive players also lost their gigs. Cornerback Rashaad Reynolds and inside linebacker Kelvin Sheppard -- who signed with the Bears just two weeks ago -- were also placed on waivers.
When Saturday rolls around, many more players will be out of a job, with Sanchez potentially being among them. Cruz was one of the most high-profile players to lose his job in the league on Friday, though, as dark days arrive for fringe players.
