Three Things We've Learned so Far from Dallas Cowboys OTAs

The Dallas Cowboys are off for a three-day weekend before wrapping up organized team activities next week. But that gives us a chance to reflect fully on what went down during the first six sessions of the offseason.

Here are three things we've learned thus far from the Cowboys as they return to work.

Dez Bryant Might Return Punts This Season

Jerry Jones wasn't happy when Dez Bryant suffered a minor injury returning a punt in Week 1 last year, but now the big boss is beginning to come to grips with that being a fluke and is realizing that the key is getting the ball in Bryant's hands as often as possible.

From Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com:

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"I have no issue with us making business decisions relative to him returning punts," Jones said. "What I do want him to do is to get enough repetitions so he can have a sense of fielding them and when to field them and when not to field them and make those kinds of judgments, but I like him back there to use him.

"When we've got a long field or a chance for a return, he's quite a weapon and I'm for using him."

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It's something Bryant's done sparingly but effectively throughout his college and pro career, so it shouldn't surprise anyone to hear that the third-year wideout with supernatural size and speed would be utilized as much as possible in 2012.

Bryant has returned exactly 15 punts in each of his two NFL seasons, but he failed to hit any home runs last season after taking two to the house during his rookie campaign. He also had three touchdowns on punt returns during his final two years at Oklahoma State.

Obviously you increase the injury risk by using Bryant in the return game, but you have to take chances in this sport.

Mike Jenkins Isn't Getting Traded (at Least That's What They're Telling Us)

With a crowded group of corners and Mike Jenkins apparently the odd man out (at least when it comes to base and nickel packages), the rumor mill has been fueled almost entirely by Jenkins of late.

But the Cowboys have said that they won't be trading Jenkins. In fact, they've said it over and over again.

Now, that doesn't mean things won't change, and bigger lies have been told in the world of pro sports. But still, Dallas knows it's a better team with Jenkins on the roster.

Top pick Morris Claiborne is, according to defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, a "unique talent" who might very well become a star, but he's recovering from surgery and probably won't practice until training camp. And top corner Brandon Carr is drawing rave reviews early, but it's May and things change and injuries happen.

We heard a lot earlier in the week about the Cowboys potentially using four corners at the same time, but that might have been exaggerated a bit. And by that I mean, they'll likely stick with two or three of them more often than not. From Ryan via MacMahon again:

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"I don't know if we'll do that," Ryan said. "If we ever get in a need to play all those guys, then we can do that certainly. They have good skill sets where I'm sure they could match up with a tight end, a smaller tight end or whatever. It's just if that need ever shows up, then you can definitely play those four guys."

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DeMarcus Ware Is Hurt Again

I'm not meaning to be "that guy" here, but I'm mildly concerned that DeMarcus Ware is missing OTAs because of what is being described as a minor neck strain. Ware has never missed a game in his seven-year career, but that just might mean he's due for a bad break.

I don't think I have to knock on wood here, because you're only jinxing a guy when you predict he won't get hurt. Either way, I'm crossing my fingers as I type this for good measure. I'm just saying that Ware was bothered by back strains and spine pains in 2011, and he'll be 30 years old this season.

It's just something I hope the Cowboys are keeping a close eye on, because they can't make a serious run without the division's best player.