Wide receiver Dez Bryant is one of the key parts of the Dallas Cowboys offense, but he may not be around for the rest of the regular season.
Bryant had X-rays on his hand Monday that revealed a fractured left index finger, which could possibly keep him sidelined for the last three games of the regular season. He suffered the injury against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
"We (are) just going to have to find out," Bryant said in a text message, noting that he'd know more Wednesday, when the Cowboys return to practice, according to ESPN.com.
Surgery has not been ruled out yet, but the real issue will be if Bryant can play with the hurt finger. Pain could be a problem, but if there is a possibility of permanent damage, Bryant will likely not play. If he does undergo surgery, he will be out for the rest of the regular season.
"He's still getting checked on right now, and we'll see what his status is as we go forward," coach Jason Garrett said. "There's been no definitive diagnosis as to what he has and what his availability will be. We're just trying to figure out what it is."
According to ESPN.com, Dallas sent Bryant to see a hand specialist to see how the team should proceed. Head coach Jason Garrett said on Monday that the team originally feared the finger had torn ligaments.
"Well, it's a medical decision first and foremost," Garrett said to ESPN.com. "The doctors are going to say, 'Hey, this is what it is, and this is what we feel like you need to do,' and then we're going to say, 'OK, well, what are the other options,' like you do with any injury, and you go forward and you make your best decision, not only for now, but for the future. Dez is very passionate about playing. Anyone who's been around him knows that. He actually hurt his finger prior to catching that touchdown pass that was a such a difference-making play in the game. He's just one of those guys. He loves to play. He's very emotional about the game, very passionate about the game, so we're going to do everything we can to give him a chance to play. At the same time, there's a medical decision as well that we have to factor into this thing, and we'll do the right thing."
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on Tuesday that it would be up to Bryant if he will play again this season. The biggest issue for Bryant if he plays will be a re-aggravation of the injury, which could cause permanent damage to the hand.
"I know he wants to play," Jones said on his weekly radio show on KRLD 105.3 FM "The Fan," according to ESPN.com. "Dez will be the ultimate decision-maker on surgery or playing with some kind of padding."
"If Bryant needs surgery, he will miss the rest of the season. According to a source, the best-case scenario is that Bryant will be able to play with his fingers taped for the rest of the season and delay surgery," according to ESPN.com.
Bryant was injured following a tackle by Adam Jones and left the game for five plays before returning. After coming back into the game, Bryant caught a 27-yard touchdown pass that helped bring the Cowboys back into the game after falling behind 19-10.
"I sprained it,'' Bryant said after Dallas' 20-19 win to Yahoo Sports. "Taped it up, wrapped it up a little bit and just got back out there.''
Bryant has been excellent this season, making 75 receptions for 1,028 yards and nine touchdowns, which tie his career-high. Against the Bengals, Bryant made six receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown. The third-year wide receiver has been hot lately, making at least three catches and scoring at least one touchdown in the past five games.
The loss of Bryant would be devastating for Dallas. The Cowboys are 7-6 and are fighting for a playoff spot and the NFC East division title. The Wild Card is packed tight with the Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, the Cowboys, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings and St. Louis Rams all battling for position.
Quarterback Tony Romo has targeted Bryant 109 times this season and has connected with him in bunches over the past five games, including for 33 catches for 525 yards and seven touchdowns. Romo has other weapons, like Miles Austin and tight end Jason Witten, but no one is the athletic specimen that Bryant is.
Other wide receivers on the roster include Austin, Cole Beasley, Dwayne Harris and Kevin Ogletree. Bryant is leading the team in yards and touchdowns and reached the 1,000-yard plateau against the Bengals for the first time in his career.
In the past Bryant has dealt with numerous personal and off the field issues, but this season he has gotten rid of distractions and has focused on football, resulting in the most productive season in his career.
As a rookie out of Oklahoma State, Bryant made 45 receptions for 561 yards and six touchdowns in 2010 and improved the next season to 63 catches for 928 yards and nine touchdowns. In his career, Bryant has a 13.8 yards per catch average and has scored 24 touchdowns.
Bryant had back-to-back 145 yard receiving games against the Browns and Redskins a few weeks ago and made a season-high 13 receptions in a 31-29 loss against Baltimore on Oct. 14.
In December, Bryant has made 10 receptions for 148 yards and three touchdowns and has been stellar in Dallas' seven wins this season, making 37 catches for 541 yards and five touchdowns.
Dallas opened the season with an emotional win over the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, but lost three of the next four games, including a 27-7 loss on the road against the Seahawks. After defeating the Carolina Panthers 19-14, the team lost two straight to the Giants and Falcons, but has since won four of five games.
The Cowboys are on a solid streak, but have tough matchups left against the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints at home and a divisional showdown with the Redskins to end the season on the road.
