Dez Bryant Now Expected To Miss 10-12 Weeks, Cowboys Still Optimistic

Update:

Ed Werder of ESPN reports that the bone graft procedure performed on Cowboys WR Dez Bryant‘s injured foot only enhances the prospects for him to return in around six weeks.

• According to Werder, the Cowboys are prepared for him to miss as many as eight weeks with this issue.

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Cowboys are now expected to be without star WR Dez Bryant for 10-12 weeks after his surgery on Monday required a bone graft.

Rapoport’s sources said that the doctors who did a bone graft on Bryant inserted a screw into his foot to help the fifth metatarsal heal, which could mean he’s out 12 weeks.

The fact that they had to use a bone graft is an indication that the doctor was worried enough about the bone healing by itself. This alone doesn’t automatically increase Bryant’s timetable to return, but it’s at least a concern.

The initial timeline for Bryant was supposed to be just 4-6 weeks, but many felt that this was overly optimistic given that the foot fracture he sustained.

According to Rapoport, the Cowboys have discussed putting Bryant on short-term injured reserve, which would have knocked him out a minimum of eight weeks.

Although Cowboys HC Jason Garrett said Friday, “In Dez’s case, we want to give him every opportunity to be back as soon as he can.”

Bryant, 26, signed a massive five-year, $70 million contract that included $45 million guaranteed with the Cowboys this summer.

In 2014, Bryant appeared in all 16 games for the Cowboys and recorded 88 receptions for 1,320 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns.