The Dallas Cowboys have been hit hard with injuries this season, but Dez Bryant is making it clear that he is fine. Tony Romo is officially done for the season which means the Cowboys season is likely over, but Bryant has no plans of slowing down or sitting for the remainder of the season. With Matt Cassel starting under center, Bryant says he is healthy and ready to win.
There was some speculation that because Romo was out for the year, Bryant might exit as well. The wide receiver started his season with a broken foot that has since healed but given him some minor trouble. With the Cowboys' season on ice, sitting their star receiver is not a crazy thought, but Bryant says he is healthy and looking to make progress on the field in Week 13.
"I could've easily put this thing in the bag with all of the injuries I'm dealing with, but I'm not," said Bryant, via ESPN.com. "I'm not here making no excuses. I'm trying my best to get right. To get right, I gotta be practicing and be out in games to get back to the level I want to be at. I'm feeling better by the day. I'll tell you this: This is the best I've felt since I've been back. I'm still getting better and moving better. I'm more confident."
Bryant will be critical heading into Week 13, The wide receiver needs to become Cassel's safety blanket if the Cowboys are going to get a win to finish the season. The receiver has 280 yards and two touchdowns in the year. He has one 100-yard game to his name while struggling with Cassel under center. The quarterback is hopeful that the two players can turn things around and bring some positive wins to Dallas.
"I try not to think of [just holding the fort] when you are playing because you've got show these guys that you are going to be assertive, you are going to be a leader out on the field," Cassel said, via ESPN.com. "At the same time, with Tony not coming back, my leadership needs to step up even more. I need to be more assertive, and hopefully that will help us."
Cassel says he has more experience now than he did during his first stint as the starter. The quarterback has a chance to really make an impact in these final stretch of games which could pay off in the long run. According to ESPN, if the quarterback starts in the final five games of the year, he has a shot to earn $1.2 million in incentives. If he plays well, he could earn a nice contract extension either in Dallas or elsewhere.