Giants' Victor Cruz still awaiting clearance to practice

Victor Cruz's chances of playing in Thursday's preseason finale aren't looking good right now.

The New York Giants wide receiver has yet to receive clearance to return to practice after suffering what was thought to be a minor calf injury.

"Not as far as I know," head coach Tom Coughlin said on a conference call with reporters, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. "I have not been told that. Progress, yes. But he's not definitely given the green light."

Cruz had made encouraging progress in his return from a ruptured patellar tendon suffered last season before injuring his left calf, and has missed all three of the Giants' preseason games.

If Cruz is sidelined again Thursday, that sets up a difficult situation for the Giants. Do they dress him for the regular-season opener without having tested his surgically repaired knee in a game situation?

"Well, everybody has issues with it," Coughlin said. "You need to practice. You really do. You're not going to be as efficient as you can. I'll just say that wouldn't be the preferred way."