Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has developed a penchant over his two and a half decades as an NFL owner for bombastic behavior and oftentimes hyperbolic statements, usually regarding the strength and/or capabilities of his team. Having just celebrated his 73rd birthday, Jones doesn't seem to be quieting down anytime soon, despite his advancing age. Jerral's most recent comments, while not necessarily ill-advised, do seem to represent more of the wide-eyed Cowboys fan that Jones can often conjure, and less the cold, calculating business-owner that has allowed Jones to turn Dallas into the most lucrative franchise in the league. Jones, appearing on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday, indicated that there is "a chance" that Dallas' star wide receiver Dez Bryant suits up against the New York Giants next Sunday, according to Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star Telegram.
Jones went on to say that the team would determine whether or not they were comfortable with the notion of Bryant taking the field against New York later this week, likely on Wednesday and Thursday, based on Bryant's ability to make cuts.
This would be a stunning feat even for an athlete of Bryant's caliber. Just five weeks removed from surgery to repair a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot - the actual date of the procedure was Sept. 14 - which also included a bone graft and the insertion of a screw, Bryant was only able to finally make an appearance at Cowboys practice on Thursday. Jones did tell reporters last week that Bryant had had stem cells from his hip inserted into the foot to increase the speed and likelihood of a full recover, but it seems unlikely that Bryant would be able to return to action this quickly. Or, more importantly, that a Cowboys team eyeing a playoff run would put Bryant back out onto the field before they're certain he's ready. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, for one, responded to Jones' Tuesday comments with skepticism. And for good reason, it seems.
How is #Cowboys WR Dez Bryant? Increasing his workload. He’s running in straight lines with no setbacks. Unclear if he’ll practice this week
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 19, 2015
It’s 5 weeks from surgery, and #Cowboys staff won’t put Dez out until he’s ready. After running straight, he cuts, then practice, then play — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 19, 2015
Could Dez Bryant play Sunday? From putting the info together, sounds incredibly unlikely. May not even be practicing yet but time will tell
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 19, 2015
Then again, Bryant is a world-class athlete and the Cowboys and Jones are likely becoming worried that their recent 0-3 slide after a red hot 2-0 start could turn the tide of their season if they don't remain vigilant. While it's too early in the season to dub any game a "must-win," the fact that the Cowboys have struggled so mightily since Bryant and quarterback Tony Romo went down earlier this season may have Jones and head coach Jason Garrett convinced that a possible fourth-straight loss, this time at the hands of a division foe, puts the entire Cowboys 2015 campaign too much at risk. And if that's the case, Bryant may very well find himself lining up against the league's 30th-ranked pass defense - a defense that surrendered 20 points to the wildly inconsistent Philadelphia Eagles Monday night - this weekend.
