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Dez Bryant’s injury leaves big-play void for Cowboys
Posted Monday, Dec. 06, 2010
By Charean Williams
cjwilliams@star-telegram.com
IRVING — Dez Bryant’s fractured right fibula has pained Dallas Cowboys fans almost as much as it has the rookie receiver. They won’t get to see his highlight-reel plays again until next season.
Bryant had surgery Monday to repair a fractured right fibula. Interim coach Jason Garrett said Bryant will need 3-4 months to rehab from the surgery, where doctors inserted a plate into his leg to stabilize the bone.
“He did have successful surgery, and they were able to address the broken bone damage that he had and also the ligament damage,” Garrett said. “We look forward to having him back. He’s someone who grows so much each and every day. Again, we talk about his passion and enthusiasm for the game. In practice and in the games, we certainly see that, and it’s unfortunate that he is not going to have these last four games. But he’s a young guy. He’s going to come back bigger and better than ever.”
Bryant’s season started with an injury, and it ended with an injury. In between, he was nothing but a pain for opponents.
Bryant was a candidate for offensive rookie of the year honors, along with Rams quarterback Sam Bradford and Bucs receiver Mike Williams, when Colts linebacker Kavell Conner landed on Bryant’s leg on a kickoff return in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys’ 38-35 overtime victory.
Bryant finished his first season with 45 catches for 561 yards and six touchdowns. He also returned two punts for touchdowns.
Bryant overcame several injuries this season, including a high-ankle sprain that kept him out all but one week of training camp.
“He’s one of the few rookies that I’ve ever seen step in and have no fear and was just ready to go right from the beginning,” receivers coach Ray Sherman said. “For a guy that missed seven or eight ballgames in college [because of an NCAA suspension], and then come in and miss some OTAs and training camp because he got hurt, and to do what he’s done, that’s impressive.”
Jerry Jones indicated Sunday night that the Cowboys have some concerns about how Bryant will handle the injury and his time away, especially if there is a work stoppage.
“This is hard to handle as much as he wants to be with the team, out on the practice field, being a part of these games,” Jones said. “He’s going to have to bite that, be mature, be more grown up about the situation he’s in.”
Sam Hurd and Kevin Ogletree will play a bigger role in the offense now that Bryant is sidelined. Hurd has seven catches for 63 yards this season and 38 catches for 573 yards and two touchdowns in his five-year career. Ogletree has been inactive most of this season, playing in five games with no catches. He had seven receptions for 96 yards last year as a rookie.
“With him out, you take a big explosive player away from us, but we’ve got to fill those roles,” Hurd said. “That’s the point, just plain and simple. We can’t just let it be a drop-off when Dez goes out. That’s what our job is, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Briefly
The Cowboys signed linebacker Kelvin Smith to their practice squad Monday. The team has one remaining spot on its practice squad.
Tight end Jason Witten (ankle), linebacker Sean Lee (shoulder), safety Gerald Sensabaugh (quadriceps) and cornerback Orlando Scandrick (concussion) were injured in Sunday’s game. Only Scandrick didn’t return to the game, and he’ll have a neurological exam today.
Running back Marion Barber (calf) is day-to-day. He could miss another week, but even if Barber is healthy, Jason Garrett said Tashard Choice has earned a bigger role in the offense. Choice had 100 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries against the Colts.
Charean Williams, 817-390-7760
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/12/06/2684090/dez-bryants-injury-leaves-big.html#ixzz17WGDByD6
Posted Monday, Dec. 06, 2010
By Charean Williams
cjwilliams@star-telegram.com
IRVING — Dez Bryant’s fractured right fibula has pained Dallas Cowboys fans almost as much as it has the rookie receiver. They won’t get to see his highlight-reel plays again until next season.
Bryant had surgery Monday to repair a fractured right fibula. Interim coach Jason Garrett said Bryant will need 3-4 months to rehab from the surgery, where doctors inserted a plate into his leg to stabilize the bone.
“He did have successful surgery, and they were able to address the broken bone damage that he had and also the ligament damage,” Garrett said. “We look forward to having him back. He’s someone who grows so much each and every day. Again, we talk about his passion and enthusiasm for the game. In practice and in the games, we certainly see that, and it’s unfortunate that he is not going to have these last four games. But he’s a young guy. He’s going to come back bigger and better than ever.”
Bryant’s season started with an injury, and it ended with an injury. In between, he was nothing but a pain for opponents.
Bryant was a candidate for offensive rookie of the year honors, along with Rams quarterback Sam Bradford and Bucs receiver Mike Williams, when Colts linebacker Kavell Conner landed on Bryant’s leg on a kickoff return in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys’ 38-35 overtime victory.
Bryant finished his first season with 45 catches for 561 yards and six touchdowns. He also returned two punts for touchdowns.
Bryant overcame several injuries this season, including a high-ankle sprain that kept him out all but one week of training camp.
“He’s one of the few rookies that I’ve ever seen step in and have no fear and was just ready to go right from the beginning,” receivers coach Ray Sherman said. “For a guy that missed seven or eight ballgames in college [because of an NCAA suspension], and then come in and miss some OTAs and training camp because he got hurt, and to do what he’s done, that’s impressive.”
Jerry Jones indicated Sunday night that the Cowboys have some concerns about how Bryant will handle the injury and his time away, especially if there is a work stoppage.
“This is hard to handle as much as he wants to be with the team, out on the practice field, being a part of these games,” Jones said. “He’s going to have to bite that, be mature, be more grown up about the situation he’s in.”
Sam Hurd and Kevin Ogletree will play a bigger role in the offense now that Bryant is sidelined. Hurd has seven catches for 63 yards this season and 38 catches for 573 yards and two touchdowns in his five-year career. Ogletree has been inactive most of this season, playing in five games with no catches. He had seven receptions for 96 yards last year as a rookie.
“With him out, you take a big explosive player away from us, but we’ve got to fill those roles,” Hurd said. “That’s the point, just plain and simple. We can’t just let it be a drop-off when Dez goes out. That’s what our job is, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Briefly
The Cowboys signed linebacker Kelvin Smith to their practice squad Monday. The team has one remaining spot on its practice squad.
Tight end Jason Witten (ankle), linebacker Sean Lee (shoulder), safety Gerald Sensabaugh (quadriceps) and cornerback Orlando Scandrick (concussion) were injured in Sunday’s game. Only Scandrick didn’t return to the game, and he’ll have a neurological exam today.
Running back Marion Barber (calf) is day-to-day. He could miss another week, but even if Barber is healthy, Jason Garrett said Tashard Choice has earned a bigger role in the offense. Choice had 100 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries against the Colts.
Charean Williams, 817-390-7760
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/12/06/2684090/dez-bryants-injury-leaves-big.html#ixzz17WGDByD6