Dez Bryant: Updates on Cowboys WR's Groin Injury and Week 7 Fantasy Status

As if dropping a game-tying pass wasn't bad enough, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant has been listed as questionable on the team's weekly injury report with a groin problem.

UPDATE: Sunday, Oct. 21 at 11:23 a.m. ET by Patrick Clarke

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant will start Sunday afternoon's game against the Carolina Panthers according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter via Twitter:

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Cowboys WR Dez Bryant is starting vs. Carolina.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2012"

---END of UPDATE---

UPDATE: Saturday, Oct. 20 at 11:29 p.m. ET

Most were surprised to see Dez Bryant listed as questionable on the Dallas Cowboys injury report, but it looks as though fantasy owners can relax. 

According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter (via Twitter), Bryant is expected to start against the Carolina Panthers this Sunday. 

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Barring a setback in pregame warmups, the Cowboys expect WR Dez Bryant to start Sunday against the Panthers, via @edwerderespn .

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 20, 2012"

While Bryant is expected to play, there's still a possibility that the groin injury will slow him down. However, since Carolina is surrendering 249.6 passing yards per game, he remains a solid fantasy option. 

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UPDATE: Friday, Oct. 19 at 6:45 p.m. ET

While the original circumstances of Bryant's groin injury weren't immediately available at the time of the team report, new information has surfaced towards that discovery.

According to Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas, Bryant did not suffer a new injury in practice on Thursday or Friday. Rather, he has been dealing with groin soreness for the past few days.

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I'm told Dez Bryant has been slowed by groin soreness recently and he did not suffer new injury in practice on Thur. or Fri.

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) October 19, 2012"

It's hard to say if that's good or bad news for the Cowboys. This late in the week, a questionable designation certainly raises eyebrows about his availability on Sunday.

We'll continue to provide updates as new information becomes available, so keep checking back until Sunday's 1 p.m. ET start time between the Cowboys and Panthers.

---END of UPDATE---

The third-year man from Oklahoma State did not participate in practice on Friday. Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com first reported the receiver's addition to the injury report on his Twitter account Friday afternoon.

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Dez Bryant questionable to play Sunday with a groin injury. Matt Johnson has been ruled out because of another hamstring setback.

— Nick Eatman (@nickeatman) October 19, 2012"

If Bryant is unable to participate on Sunday, it would likely mean Kevin Ogletree would take his place in the starting lineup. Receivers Dwayne Harris, Cole Beasley and Andre Holmes could also see time at the position.

From a fantasy standpoint, this is a huge blow to Bryant owners. Bryant is coming off his best game as a pro; against Baltimore in Week 6, he hauled in 13 receptions for 95 yards and two touchdowns, although he dropped a two-point conversion that would have tied the game in the closing minutes.

Miles Austin and Jason Witten will be bigger fantasy factors if Bryant is unavailable, and Ogletree would likely be a speculative flex start if you think he can duplicate his performance from Week 1 against the New York Giants.

It's another crucial blow in the disappointing career of Bryant. With a solid week in the books against the Ravens and a favorable matchup against the Panthers secondary, Bryant was poised to make an impact both as a playmaker for this Dallas team and in the fantasy football ranks.

Bryant has 34 receptions for 364 yards and two touchdowns this season.  

Continue to check back with Bleacher Report for the latest updates on the troubled wide receiver, including fantasy impact and his status for Dallas' crucial Week 7 road game with Carolina.

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