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Dez Bryant injury update: Cowboys WR suffers ‘slight hairline fracture’ in knee

By Brad Rowland

Aug 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) looks on during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) looks on during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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The verdict is in when it comes to Dez Bryant’s MRI.

The Dallas Cowboys rely heavily on Dez Bryant in the passing game, but the team received some bad news on Tuesday afternoon. Following an apparent knee injury suffered against the Chicago Bears on Sunday night, Bryant underwent an MRI and the results came back with a “slight hairline fracture” in that knee.

Within the same press availability, Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett referred to Bryant’s injury as one that will be evaluated “day by day” and “week by week”, but in the same breath, he did not rule out Bryant when it comes to playing against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4. It should be noted that Bryant has not been particularly effective in two of the team’s three games this season, combining for only four receptions for 48 yards against the New York Giants (Week 1) and Chicago Bears (Week 3).

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The injury was reportedly suffered in the early stages of the Cowboys victory over the Bears, but Bryant appeared quite limited and this diagnosis would explain things with clarity. In his absence, Dallas will turn to the likes of Cole Beasley, who is more of a slot option, and Terrance Williams, with the potential of additional work in the running game for Ezekiel Elliott and Alfred Morris.

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At this point, the announcement that Bryant only has a “slight hairline fracture” likely qualifies as good news for the Cowboys, even if that seems far-fetched. Even the possibility that the team’s best playmaker on the outside could be back within a week or two is very encouraging for an offense that needs that dynamic and, when healthy, Dez Bryant is unquestionably one of the best wide receivers in the entire NFL.

Potentially being without a top-flight target isn’t great news for Dak Prescott when it comes to Week 4, but all told, this is a win for the Cowboys.

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