Eli Manning, Victor Cruz to sit out Giants' preseason opener

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Two of the most accomplished Giants will not play in their preseason opener on Friday night at MetLife Stadium against the Miami Dolphins.

Victor Cruz has been ruled out with a groin injury suffered earlier in the week. He did not practice Wednesday.

Eli Manningis a coaches decision. The Giants want to take a longer look at backup quarterback Ryan Nassib this preseason. Nassib, who has not started a game in his first three professional years, is a free agent after this season.

"I made the decision not to play Eli tonight," coach Ben McAdoo said in a statement by the team. "We have a pretty good idea of what Eli can do, and as I said the other day when asked, Ryan is going to play a lot of football for us this preseason. And that starts tonight. We will also getLogan [Thomas]somework, as well."

Cruz was hoping to appear in a game for the first time in 670 days. It didn't happen, although he has adamantly claimed the tightness in his groin is a minor problem. Cruz has missed most of the past two seasons with leg injuries.