Cruz is retiring from football to join ESPN as an NFL analyst, ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz said this past spring that he hoped to continue his playing career, but it was never a likely proposition after he failed to make the Bears' 53-man roster last year. Though serviceable for the Giants in 2016, he's never come close to the pre-injury form he displayed from 2011 to 2013 -- a stretch in which he averaged 79 receiving yards per game. Cruz went undrafted out of UMass in 2010, then burst onto the scene with 1,536 receiving yards in 2011 while helping the Giants win a Super Bowl. He retires at the age of 31, with each of his 303 career receptions coming in a Giants uniform.

Cruz hopes to continue his NFL career but plans to retire if he doesn't sign with a team before the start of the 2018 season, ESPN.com's Jordan Raanan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz failed to make the Bears' 53-man roster last season and didn't play in 2017. He'll turn 32 in November and is now five years removed from his lat season (2013) with more than 39 catches and one touchdown. Cruz might find a team willing to let him compete for a roster spot, but retirement is the most likely outcome. He averaged 80.3 catches for 1,209 yards and 7.7 touchdowns from 2011 to 2013 with the Giants, before a series of knee and leg injuries derailed his career.

The Bears released Cruz (knee) on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Upholding the perceived expectation, Cruz was cut loose by the Bears, despite an affirmation from the wide receiver that he was handed a "clean bill of health" after an MRI, per Josina Anderson of ESPN. Because he didn't find a home until May 25 and the Bears have a critical need for depth at wide receiver, Cruz may not get another chance in the league as he enters what would have been his age-31 season.

On Saturday, Cruz (knee) told Josina Anderson of ESPN that he received a "clean bill of health" after a recent MRI.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz was believed to be a candidate for release or placement on injured reserve due to a knee injury, which he sustained in the Bears' preseason finale. While his health may not be a question mark in the wideout's mind, his cluttered medical chart would suggest otherwise and may play a significant role in the team's decision-making process. On the other hand, losing Cameron Meredith (knee) for the season weakens the receiving corps, meaning Cruz could still be considered for a roster spot.

The Bears are expected to either release Cruz (knee) or place him on injured reserve in the near future, contingent upon the results of an MRI, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Apparently, the Bears will jettison Cruz if his MRI comes up clear. If not, he'll be placed on IR and likely receive an injury settlement from the team. Due to the loss of Cameron Meredith (knee) for the season, Cruz had a prime chance to make an impression on the coaching staff, but management will instead roll with Kevin White and a cast of misfits to round out the receiving corps.

Cruz (knee) is questionable to return to Thursday's preseason game against the Browns, Adam Hoge of WGN Radio reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz was able to walk off the field under his own power, so he could be alright. Look for coach John Fox to provide an update after the game.

Cruz caught one pass for eight yards while being targeted twice in Sunday's victory over the Titans.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz made his lone reception in the two-minute drill while lining up in the slot. However, his most notable play was when he dropped a perfect pass from Mitch Trubisky on a third down in the fourth quarter. He'll be in a battle to earn a roster spot, and it's possible that the injury to Cameron Meredith improves his odds a bit. Regardless, he hasn't looked like the playmaker we knew from his days with the Giants.

Cruz hasn't gotten much run with the first-team offense, ESPN.com's Jeff Dickerson reports.

EDGE Analysis

Markus Wheaton's (finger) continued absence might have seemed to free up an opportunity, but the Bears have shown a clear preference for using Kendall Wright over Cruz out of the slot. The 30-year-old did have six targets and a touchdown in the preseason opener, but Wright dominated first-team slot work while finding the end zone in the second exhibition contest. Cruz likely will open the year fourth or fifth on the depth chart, if he even makes the final roster.

Cruz caught three of six targets for 11 yards and a touchdown during Thursday's preseason opener against Denver.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz worked primarily out of the slot during the Bears' offseason program, and with Cameron Meredith and Kevin White likely to lock down the starting receiving jobs on the outside, that's probably Cruz's best chance to make an impact. The veteran will still need to beat out Kendall Wright and Markus Wheaton to garner enough targets to warrant fantasy consideration, so expectations should probably remain in check.

Cruz predominantly played in the slot during the Bears' offseason program, ESPN.com's Jordan Raanan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz has mostly played the slot throughout his career, but the Giants moved him outside last season to accommodate the addition of Sterling Shepard. The veteran got off to a nice start with 245 receiving yards in his first four games, but his usage and efficiency both cratered throughout the season as he ultimately finished with only 586 yards in 15 games. He's back at his natural position in Chicago, where Kendall Wright, Markus Wheaton (shoulder) and Josh Bellamy are also in the mix for targets alongside Cameron Meredith (thumb) and Kevin White. Cruz will have to battle for a role, as Meredith was productive out of the slot last season and Wright has mostly played on the inside the past few years.