The NFL injury report heading into Week 8 could see the returns of Dez Bryant and Ben Roethlisberger for the Dallas Cowboys and Steelers, while running back Joseph Randle could be out. Victor Cruz does not yet have a set return date for the Giants, while Arian Foster is out for the season after tearing his Achilles.
Foster started the season banged up after injuring his groin during training camp and he was able to return and play four games for the Texans. According to the team, Foster tore his Achilles on Sunday against the Texans and now will be placed on injured reserve. Foster has had issues staying healthy during his career and now he is out for the season for the Texans. Foster had 163 yards rushing in four games this season and now Alfred Blue will be the primary running back for Houston along with Chris Polk.
The Dallas Cowboys are hoping that Dez Bryant can return for Week 8 and it comes after the wide receiver was not able to play on Sunday against the Giants. Fox Sports reports that there is a "50-50" chance that Bryant plays on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks and if he misses that game, the Cowboys "believe" he will be back for Week 9, Mike Garafolo reports.
Bryant has been out since Week 1 with a foot injury and had surgery to repair the injury, which had a six to eight week timetable for recovery. Randle is dealing with an injury and he could miss time next week. Darren McFadden is expected to start.
Jerry Jones said to ESPN that Bryant had a "good" workout pregame at MetLife Stadium before the Cowboys played the Giants. Jones said that Bryant had "no negatives" from his workout the previous day and that he has a good chance to play next week. The Cowboys have lost four straight games and that has come with both Bryant and Tony Romo on the sidelines with injuries. According to the Dallas Morning News, Bryant said that he could be back before he is "100 percent healed" and that "if I can go, I'm going to go" against the Seahawks in Week 8. Bryant has five catches for 48 yards in one game played this season. Romo remains on IR with designation to return and he will be back in a few weeks.
Ben Roethlisberger is on his way back from a knee injury and there is a chance that he will start in Week 8. According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Ed Bouchette reports that Mike Tomlin thinks that Roethlisberger will be able to start against the Cincinnati Bengals next week. Roethlisberger has been out since suffering an injury in Week 3 and this is about when he was expected to return based on the timetable for his injury. Roethlisberger was a game time decision last week and after being "pretty close" to coming back against the Chiefs, Roethlisberger could play on Sunday.
Victor Cruz remains out for the Giants with a calf injury and the wideout has not been cleared to practice yet. According to Pro Football Talk, Cruz had an MRI last week and it showed that the calf still had some damage. Cruz said that he has not been feeling any pain and the Giants are hoping that he can make a return over the next few weeks. Cruz has not yet played this season and has only been able to practice on a limited basis.
Check here for more on the latest NFL injuries and more on Cruz, Bryant and Foster.
