Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas – After seeing his second hand specialist in three days, wide receiver Dez Bryant apparently is trying everything he can to avoid surgery on a fractured left index finger.
That doesn’t exactly mean surgery isn’t needed, but for now the Cowboys and Bryant are going to at least try to figure out ways the wide receiver can play Sunday against the Steelers.
Whether or not Bryant practices with the team on Thursday, he is expected to catch passes. The Cowboys will likely try different methods to protect the finger, including padded gloves, or taping two fingers together.
Bryant did not practice on Wednesday with head coach Jason Garrett citing swelling in his finger. Also, he went to see the hand specialist early in the afternoon.
Sources close to the situation have described this as a “significant injury” and it’s implied that Bryant has been warned that surgery now would prevent long-term damage to his finger. Further injury could prevent Bryant from possibly bending his index finger in the future.
But for now, Bryant seems intent on playing through the injury. While owner Jerry Jones said this week Bryant will be the ultimate-decision maker, if this injury affects his ability to perform, the Cowboys will likely step in and make the call to sit him.
Still, this could be a situation where Bryant isn’t ready to play this week, but could actually return for one of the final regular season games against the Saints and Redskins.
For now, playing in the Steelers game Sunday remains the goal.
Obviously the Cowboys don’t want to risk further injury for Bryant, but his services are definitely needed. In the last five games, a span the Cowboys have gone 4-1, Bryant has caught seven touchdowns – all in the second half.
This past week, he went over 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career, and has a team-high 1,028 yards with nine touchdowns. His 75 receptions rank second only to Jason Witten (92).
Bryant also has a touchdown catch in the last five games, the third-longest streak in Cowboys history.
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas – After seeing his second hand specialist in three days, wide receiver Dez Bryant apparently is trying everything he can to avoid surgery on a fractured left index finger.
That doesn’t exactly mean surgery isn’t needed, but for now the Cowboys and Bryant are going to at least try to figure out ways the wide receiver can play Sunday against the Steelers.
Whether or not Bryant practices with the team on Thursday, he is expected to catch passes. The Cowboys will likely try different methods to protect the finger, including padded gloves, or taping two fingers together.
Bryant did not practice on Wednesday with head coach Jason Garrett citing swelling in his finger. Also, he went to see the hand specialist early in the afternoon.
Sources close to the situation have described this as a “significant injury” and it’s implied that Bryant has been warned that surgery now would prevent long-term damage to his finger. Further injury could prevent Bryant from possibly bending his index finger in the future.
But for now, Bryant seems intent on playing through the injury. While owner Jerry Jones said this week Bryant will be the ultimate-decision maker, if this injury affects his ability to perform, the Cowboys will likely step in and make the call to sit him.
Still, this could be a situation where Bryant isn’t ready to play this week, but could actually return for one of the final regular season games against the Saints and Redskins.
For now, playing in the Steelers game Sunday remains the goal.
Obviously the Cowboys don’t want to risk further injury for Bryant, but his services are definitely needed. In the last five games, a span the Cowboys have gone 4-1, Bryant has caught seven touchdowns – all in the second half.
This past week, he went over 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career, and has a team-high 1,028 yards with nine touchdowns. His 75 receptions rank second only to Jason Witten (92).
Bryant also has a touchdown catch in the last five games, the third-longest streak in Cowboys history.
