It appears that Dallas Cowboys' Dez Bryant will not be back on the field with his team when they take on the New York Giants this Sunday. The team has officially listed the wide receiver as "Doubtful" in its latest injury report. When a player is listed as Doubtful, it means that there is 25% chance that he will play. Meanwhile, a Questionable status indicates a 50% chance that a player will play.
One of the first signs that hinted Bryant's absence is when he did not participated during the Cowboy's practice this week. The 26-year-old has not played since fracturing a bone in his right foot in the season opener versus the Giants. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that he is still optimistic about Bryant's quick recovery and return, but this new injury report apparently rules the player out for Sunday's match.
Rumors suggesting that the wide receiver will not be participating in the upcoming game first surfaced when he reportedly failed to accompany his teammates in their New York-bound flight, according to Dallas News. However, a Cowboys spokesperson mentioned that Bryant will indeed remain in Dallas to rest but may follow his team in New York on Saturday. If he will be out this weekend, his next feasible return date will be on Week 8 when the Cowboys face the Seattle Seahawks.
Moreover, Dez Bryant's foot fracture is not the only injury that the Cowboys are hoping to heal properly and quickly. Quarterback Tony Romo is also currently dealing with a broken collarbone which placed him on the team's list of injured reserves. Dallas already dropped three straight without Bryant and Romo. The team sits in third place in the NFC East at 2-3 despite a 2-0 mark in the division.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett recently said that he is encouraged by Romo's recovery. The quarterback was reportedly seen not wearing a sling as he worked out on an elliptical machine during Wednesday's practice.
"Obviously he can't do anything on the practice field. He's four games away from doing it, but I think he's made progress. He's moving around better. I think there is some things that are uncomfortable for him, but I think as you look at how he's healed, everything has been positive up to this point," Garrett told Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.