ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — He stood facing the bright, warm sun on the sideline, clad for the first time in forever in his blue No. 80 jersey.
He watched Eli Manning (4-for-9, 44 yards) sputter and Ben McAdoo win a challenge and Andre Williams fumble and Odell Beckham Jr. catch a 22-yard slant and the offensive line struggle without Justin Pugh and Ryan Nassib struggle again and one more time wished he could play this game he loves, this game that has given him fame and fortune, and wished he could help his teammates avoid a dismal 21-0 loss, even if it was only a preseason game.
“I felt like I belonged,” Cruz told The Post outside the visiting locker room.
For so long, for too long, Victor Cruz could not feel like he belonged, as much as his teammates have tried to make him belong.
“Just to be out there, just to go through the warmup, go through the stretches, go through the one-on-ones with those guys, it was somewhat nostalgic,” Cruz said. “It’s been a long time, so it felt like I belonged, it felt like I was supposed to be out there. Now I’m just excited for that final step to get out there and get some playing time.”
Cruz, his groin no longer an annoyance, said he hopes to practice Monday.
“I definitely want to play next Saturday,” he said.
He smiled at the irony that his first game back since that fateful Oct. 12, 2014, night at the Linc could come against the Jets.
“Naturally, it’s been part of my DNA, the Jets that is,” he said. “But I’m excited, I’m excited for that opportunity, I’m excited just to get out there. It just so happens to be the Jets, but I didn’t care who it was.”
Some of his teammates busted his chops, of course.
“They were egging me on, ‘Happy to see 80, happy to see you out here, blah blah blah,’ ” Cruz said. “Now it’s time to make the final leap.”
He was understandably restless on the sidelines.
“I was near the coaches,” Cruz said. “I was near the players. I was in defense. I was all over the place.”
Cruz can reach out and touch his dream. He has been here before. He is here again.
“It’s right there in front of me,” Cruz said. “I just got to get there. I got to make sure I’m doing what I need to do, and get to the mountaintop.”
No one more than Rex Ryan knows it is risky business counting Cruz out.
“I hope he makes it,” Ryan told The Post. “He’s a heck of a football player, and they’re not on the schedule, so I hope he makes it. No but in all seriousness, he’s a great competitor and man, he’s wore my ass out enough.
“But you know what? I do wish him the best. It’s good to have players like him in our league.”
When Ryan shook hands with Tom Coughlin at the end of the memorable 2010 preseason game against the Jets when Cruz made a name for himself with thre touchdown catches, he said, “I don’t know who No. 3 is, but holy [cow]!”
“I hope they cut him,” Ryan said afterward. “I know one team that would be ready to sign him, and that’d be us.”
Cruz was expected to make his comeback in Week 4 of the 2015 season against the Bills. Ryan could not forget Cruz’ 99-yard catch-and-run TD at the end of the 2011 season that altered the fortunes of both franchises.
“I wish Victor Cruz would wait another week to return to action,” Ryan said.
Cruz has been waiting ever since.
He was crushed after his calf nightmares began in practice the Wednesday before that game.
Now here we are, all this heartache, all these cruel teases later.
“He’s tougher than nails,” Rex said Saturday evening before walking off hand-in-hand with his wife, “so no, I would never count that kid out.”
Neither would John Mara.
“I wouldn’t sell him short,” Mara told The Post. “He’s too good a competitor.”
Mara, Jerry Reese and Manning have been here before, of course, with Cruz.
“Hopefully it’s a sign that he can get back out there soon and get in a game,” Manning said. “That’s when I’ll be excited for him, when he gets to suit up and knowing he’s going to play the game, gets a catch, gets some action on the field.”
Ever the optimist, Cruz looked through blue-colored glasses at what had unfolded in front of him.
“I think we were somewhat stagnant at times, but I think there were some positive things out there to see,” he said. “Obviously we’re still getting our feet wet as far as building that continuity in a game-like atmosphere. But so far so good.”
Cruz was asked what message he would have for Giants fans.
“Don’t lose faith,” he said. “Continue to follow me. Continue to be a positive influence like you guys have been, whether it be social media or when I see people in the streets. And we’ll see how this week goes and I’ll see you Saturday.”
Big Blue fingers crossed.