Dez Bryant Will Handle Punt Return Duties In 2012

Meanwhile, the team plans on RB Felix Jones fielding kickoffs this season

Dez Bryant said this offseason that he never really fully recovered from the deep thigh bruise suffered on a punt return in the first half of the 2011 season opener against the Jets, but this bit of quick misfortune a year ago won’t keep Dallas from using Bryant in the same role in 2012.

Cowboys’ executive vice president Stephen Jones confirmed that Bryant will return punts this season on Sunday, adding that kick return duties will be handled by Felix Jones--who started last season as the starting running back, but will serve as a change-of-pace back for DeMarco Murray.

We think that’s really going to do wonders for our kicking game,” Jones said, per ESPN Dallas. “We’re going to let them work on it from the get go. Obviously, we didn’t do it with Felix last year because he was the starting running back and we didn’t do it with Dez. This year, we think it’ll make a big difference. Both guys were top guys come out of college. By letting them work on it every day, Joe (DeCamillis) thinks it’ll make a big difference.”

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