Life without Dez Bryant and Tony Romo is tough in Dallas. The Cowboys were feeling good in the first half against the Atlanta Falcons when Brandon Weeden was thriving on handoffs to Joseph Randle and short passes to Jason Witten, but the lack of versatility in the offense caused the team to go without a score in the second half. Now the Cowboys simply must hope at least one of their two stars is on the fast track to getting healthy as Bryant could be back sooner rather than later.
According to team vice president Stephen Jones, Bryant is expected back after the bye week following surgery to repair a broken foot. Bryant has been seen around the facilities without a boot on or noticeable limp and Jones believes the goal to return after the bye week is realistic for the leading wide receiver who earned the large contract extension in the offseason.
"Our prognosis has never changed," Jones said, via The Dallas Morning News. "I know there have been a lot of people who have doctors on their media staff and like to speculate on these things, but we've been pretty consistent from Day One. At first we thought maybe four to six (weeks) and that changed to six to eight. By the next day we were pretty much thinking six to eight. We really feel like it's a very fair goal to think that Dez will be back after the bye."
The Cowboys need Bryant back. While the team wants the wide receiver to be fully healthy, they need the playmaker. The issue is that with Weeden under center, it might not matter when Bryant returns because the quarterback barely through a shot downfield on Sunday. Weeden's longest pass went for just over 20 yards. Terrance Williams was targeted just twice and went without a catch in the game. Instead, Weeden focused on short throws to either Lance Dunbar or Witten to move the offense. Bryant coming back on the field might not change that.
For now, the biggest playmakers Dallas has are Randle, Dunbar and Witten. That is not expected to change for the next few weeks. If Bryant's return happens quickly, it will be a nice safety blanket for Weeden to work with, but there are no guarantees he will be able to make the connection. Dallas has full confidence in Weeden, but it is clear they are not ready to open the playbook around him.
"I think we can do it," Jones said, via the Dallas News. "Obviously that's why we're going with Brandon. He certainly has the arm talent and the skill set to go downfield with the ball. I think we just have to have the confidence to do it and adjust and do it."
