IRVING, Texas – Late Friday, executive vice president Stephen Jones said the Cowboys feel "really good" about the possibility of Dez Bryant playing Sunday against the Seahawks, barring any setbacks over the weekend before kickoff.
"To say that he's full blast might be a stretch, for it to be his first week of practice and actually practicing," Jones said on 105.3 The Fan, adding that if Bryant does play he'd likely be on a pitch count of sorts.
Officially listed as "questionable" on Friday's injury report, Bryant went through a limited portion of practice for the third straight day and said his surgically-repaired right foot feels good.
If the decision was only Bryant's, he said Friday "of course" he would play for the first time since fracturing the fifth metatarsal in his right foot in the Cowboys' Sept. 13 season opener. But he and the team also want to see how his foot responds to the week of practice and then make the right decision.
Bryant's teammates have shown support all week for their star wideout and discussed the positive impact he'd have on the offense if active.
"It does mean a lot to me," Bryant said. "I miss being out there, because anything for them. I'm going to make sure I get with the trainers, talk to Mr. (Jerry) Jones, talk to Coach (Jason) Garrett and I'm going to go from there."
Bryant's five-game absence has been the longest of his six-year career. He missed four games his rookie season with a fractured ankle.
The wait this season has "seemed like a year," he said.
When he does return, Bryant immediately adds a dynamic element to the offense directed by fill-in starting quarterback Matt Cassel. He said his practice work with Cassel this week has gone well.
Garrett was asked before practice if Bryant could be on a pitch count if he plays Sunday.
"Any time a player hasn't played in a little while you always want to ease him back into action to a certain extent," Garrett said. "You need to go full speed on every play, so you just have to monitor how he's handling the work. With him or any guy you're always just mindful of that. We have no hard and fast rules."
At 2-4, the Cowboys are in the middle of a four-game losing streak and need to keep pace in the division with Romo (fractured collarbone) out at least three more games.
"We have enough time. We've just got to continue to keep on believing," Bryant said. "We're a strong team, and that's exactly what we're going to continue to keep doing."
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