After being eliminated from playoff contention almost two weeks ago and with nothing left to play for, the Dallas Cowboys have announced that wide receiver Dez Bryant has been placed on the season ending injured reserve.
Bryant will need to undergo surgery to repair foot and ankle injuries, with the team hoping that he will be ready for training camp. Head coach Jason Garrett praised Dez’ perseverance through a difficult season for him individually and the team.
“Obviously he didn’t benefit from not being in the off season and through a large part of the lead-up to the season,” Garrett said. “He was dealing with some different things, but Dez is a really good football player and his presence out there makes a big difference. A lot of people will try to compare players as they were to what maybe where they were at their very best. Dez was a really capable, confident football player this year for us. He had to deal with a lot of different things. We admire how he worked through a lot of different things. Missing the off season and having a number of different injuries, he didn’t get the best opportunity to prepare and play like he normally does and I think that hurt him and ultimately hurt our football team.”
The Cowboys receiver hurt his ankle in a week two win over the Philadelphia Eagles which sidelined him for four games. He was never able to regain his old speed and struggled with dropped passes upon his return. With off-season recovery and a full training camp under his belt, Bryant will have the time needed to return back to his elite form.
