Dez Bryant (Probably) Won't Play Against Vikings

Dez Bryant’s return to practice this week was read by many as a sign that we might see the All-Pro receiver on the field for the first time this preseason when the Cowboys host the Vikings at AT&T Stadium on Saturday night, but it’s actually more likely that he’ll be held out once again, according to owner and general manager Jerry Jones.

Bryant was eased into camp work after sitting out all offseason in an effort to pressure the Cowboys to give him a new, long-term contract. They did, of course, and for awhile Bryant was on the field and all was right with the world. Then on August 6, Bryant strained a hamstring and missed over two full weeks before returning this week.

If the Cowboys needed Bryant to go, Jones said in an appearance on 105.3-FM The Fan’s G-Bag Nation on Friday, he’d be available. But since this is still the preseason, they don’t, and he probably won’t.

“I’m not so sure we’re satisfied that it’s necessary for him to extend that [hamstring] that he’s got, since he did extend it with probably a suddenness that had he probably been out there for longer periods of time, he might not have had that happen,” Jones said, via the Dallas Morning News. “Let’s give him the rest. We don’t have to have him [Saturday] night. That’s the way I would look at it, and do look at it.”