By Mike Garafolo

In three days, the New York Giants could have reduced the restricted free agent tender offer they extended to Victor Cruz from $2.879 million to $630,000.

But Cruz took the necessary step to prevent that by signing his tender Friday, a person informed of the transaction told USA TODAY Sports. The person, who requested anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak on behalf of Cruz, said the sides are continuing to work on a long-term deal but are no closer than they’ve been in recent weeks.

Cruz told ESPN he and the Giants will “continue talks for a long-term deal before camp starts.”

Signing the tender means Cruz is required to report to training camp next month or he’ll risk being fined $30,000 for each day he misses. That’s the trade-off for locking in his current salary of nearly $3 million for next season, a figure he obviously doesn’t want as his going rate come Week 1.

But after missing all of the team’s spring sessions (offseason workouts, organized team activities and minicamp), Cruz has at least put himself on the required-attendee list this summer, which is somewhat of a positive sign.

Read More USA TODAY: Latest World and US News – USATODAY.com.