ARLINGTON, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys now much prepare for life without star wide receiver Dez Bryant for the next four to six weeks.
Their dramatic 27-26 come-from-behind victory over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium was dampened by the postgame news that Bryant will undergo surgery after suffering a broken bone in his right foot.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones informed the media of the break in the foot and the recovery time after the game outside the team’s locker room. Coach Jason Garrett confirmed the injury as well.
“That’s a tough loss,” quarterback Tony Romo said. “You can’t replace a Dez Bryant. I hurt for him right now because I know how much he loves to play the game.”
Bryant, who finished with five receptions for 48 yards, limped to the locker room in the second half. After Bryant left the game, a pass bounced off of the hands of receiver Devin Street and was intercepted by Trumaine McBride. That led to the Giants’ touchdown that gave them a 23-13 lead.
Bryant also was not on the field for Romo’s game-winning six-play, 72-yard drive that culminated with his 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jason Witten.
“We will have Dez back,” Jones said. “I don’t want to temper the win.”
The loss of Bryant comes at a difficult time for the Cowboys. Their next six games include road games against the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and a rematch with the Giants. They also play the Patriots and Seahawks at home during that stretch.
“We just have to go back and take a look at what we did in the offseason,” Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. “We really worked our depth with Dez not being there in the offseason. Terrance (Williams) stepped up and had some key catches in that situation. Street had a lot of playing time in those situations, so he’s a lot more confident in those situations. We are going to get a little thinner at receiver with Dez being out.”
