Cowboys Consider Dez Bryant a Veteran Presence

Dez Bryant is entering his fifth season in the NFL

After Miles Austin was designated a post-June 1 cut earlier this month, many figured they’d go out and try to find a veteran receiver to replace the two-time Pro Bowler and shore up the receiving corps. They haven’t yet, and apparently they don’t plan on doing so anytime soon.

This is because, as Jason Garrett explained recently, they now consider Dez Bryant to be a viable elder statesman for the group.

"We consider Dez Bryant a veteran receiver,” Garrett said, per ESPN Dallas. "He's played a lot of games for us and played at a very high level. He's certainly a strong veteran presence for us."

Bryant, who will enter his fifth NFL season this year, displayed some leadership in the direct aftermath of Austin’s release when he called Terrance Williams--who will be Dallas’s new No. 2 in his second year in the league--to discuss the future.

"Dez has been able to positively influence so many guys on your team, really for the last few years," Garrett said. "As he's gotten himself settled into the role he's been in, he's an outstanding football player. He loves the game. He has an infectious way about him. People really like Dez and they care about Dez. If you come to one of our football practices, you see that. He's a very competitive guy who wants to be great."

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