Dez Bryant could be back much earlier than expected, according to Dallas Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones, who said on a radio show that the star receiver could be back in time to play in Week 7.
Dez Bryant has ‘real shot’ at playing in Week 7
Bryant needed foot surgery and a bone graft, but could be back ahead of schedule for the Cowboys.
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
“There’s been no setbacks,” Jones said on 103.5 KRLD The Fan on Monday, who added that there’s a “real shot” at Bryant returning immediately after the team’s Week 6 bye and that it’s a “very fair goal.“
Bryant's foot injury, suffered in Week 1 required surgery and a bone graft to repair, which placed estimates on his return at anywhere from Week 8 to Week 14. The possibly lengthy recovery made Bryant seem like a logical candidate for the injured reserve with a designation to return, but the Cowboys were optimistic he would be able to return early and ended up needing that spot when Tony Romo broke his collarbone one week later.
Without Bryant, the Cowboys managed to improve to 2-0 with a 20-10 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, but the team has dropped back-to-back games without Bryant and Romo.
Brandon Weeden has managed to stay relatively efficient and mistake-free for the Cowboys, but has just two touchdown passes in two games and could use an All-Pro receiver like Bryant to make big plays for the team. Tight end Jason Witten and running back Lance Dunbar lead the team in receptions and receiving yards, and Dunbar could be done for the year after suffering a knee injury in Week 4.
Cole Beasley and Terrance Williams have absorbed most of the targets among the receiving corps, but neither have 200 receiving yards after four games.
Bryant received the franchise tag and then a five-year, $70 million contract during the offseason after leading the NFL with 16 touchdowns in 2014. In the three seasons before 2015, he tallied 273 receptions for 3,935 yards and 41 touchdowns.
The Cowboys will play the New England Patriots in Week 5 before a bye week. In Week 7, the team will travel to play the New York Giants who are one of the three teams at the top of the NFC East, at 2-2, along with Dallas and Washington.
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