EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Dez Bryant's foot will once again be the focus of intense speculation this week, as the Cowboys hope he can progress in his recovery from surgery.
Bryant was once again inactive during the team's 27-20 loss to New York, just as he has been since breaking his fifth metatarsal in the season opener on Sept. 13. But the All-Pro receiver drew plenty of attention during a spirited pregame warmup.
"I felt good. I felt real good," Bryant said. "I'm just taking it day by day. That's all I can do. Just stay strong."
Pregame warmups are obviously a far cry from actual football, but Bryant moved well during his routine and didn't appear to be hindered by the injury. In the postgame locker room, Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said Bryant didn't suffer any setbacks as a result of the work load.
"He had a good workout," Jones said. "He said he didn't have any negative effects from it out here before the game. We'll just see how this week goes."
This weekend was widely speculated to be a potential return date for Bryant, as the prognosis for recovery was believed to be 6-to-8 weeks. This loss to the Giants marks exactly six weeks since he broke the bone, and he said the next step in his rehab process is obvious.
"The next goal is to get on the field. I think we're doing a hell of a job right now with my foot. I think I'm the only one being a bit impatient with the foot," he said. "They're doing a great job to make sure I'm doing the right thing. Once I feel good, I'm going to get on the field."
It should be another interesting week to see if Bryant gets on the field during preparations for the Nov. 1 game against Seattle. Bryant said he doesn't think his foot needs to be at 100 percent in order for him to work his way onto the field.
The Cowboys will have a large say in that, but Jones sounded optimistic about the week to come.
"We thought he would be back more quickly than the most dire prognosis, that maybe he'd be out for 10 weeks, 12 weeks, the rest of the year – something like that," Jones said. "He is really, by all apparent measures, got a real good chance to play this week."
