Dez Bryant & 5 NFL Players Opting to Play Hurt

Dez Bryant isn't the only NFL player ready to play through injury in Week 15, that's for sure. 

While playing through a fractured finger can't be easy, the playoffs are essentially on the line for the Dallas Cowboys, and they will need all the offensive help they can get against the stingy Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Let's look at those who are foregoing pain for, presumably, the betterment of the team this weekend. 

Robert Griffin III

RG3 is the best-known NFL player who's opting to play hurt in Week 15. 

By now, you've seen the awkward way Griffin III's knee bent when he was crushed by Baltimore Ravens defender Haloti Ngata a week ago.

According to Mike Jones of the Washington Post—who? Sorry, that joke is old—RG3 looked good in practice on Thursday:

"

Griffin again on practice field. Looked more confident planting and throwing off right leg. #redskins

— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) December 13, 2012"

Based on his tweet, Rotoworld.com thinks "at this point, it would be a surprise if RG3 didn't start Sunday's game in Cleveland."

Hakeem Nicks

Hakeem Nicks has been battling a knee injury all season. 

Despite being able to manage four catches for 67 yards and a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in Week 14, it's unlikely he's back to 100 percent. 

In a recent report, the New Jersey Star-Ledger shed some light on the receiver's situation with the following: "Coughlin indicated Nicks will return to a one-practice-per-week routine."

It would be surprising if Nicks misses the important game in Atlanta against the Falcons, but the knee problem appears to be lingering. 

Bilal Powell

Bilal Powell carried the ball 19 times for 78 yards and scored a touchdown in the Jets' Week 14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in a timeshare with Shonn Greene. 

On Thursday, it was revealed that the rookie runner has a fractured toe, per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News:

"

Rex Ryan says Gates, Keller, S Hill, Berry and Powell (fractured toe) won't practice today. #nyj

— Manish Mehta(@MMehtaNYDN) December 13, 2012"

Although it seems like a crippling injury for a running back, Rotoworld.com cited the team's head coach regarding Powell's situation: "Rex Ryan expressed some optimism over his availability for Monday night's game in Tennessee."

Clay Matthews

According to Packers.com, Matthews got in a limited practice session on Wednesday, the "first time since injuring his hamstring on Nov. 4 vs. Arizona."

Per Ty Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, head coach Mike McCarthy is optimistic about Matthews:

"

McCarthy: "Hopeful" that Matthews and Woodson will practice and play this week. No new information.

— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) December 10, 2012"

Far from good news for Jay Cutler. 

Roddy White

Roddy White underwent an MRI on Wednesday, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Although the star wide receiver was obviously held out of practice, via the Associated Press per Rotoworld.com, he is "expected to play on Sunday." 

In a separate AJC report, White is "set to return to practice on Thursday." 

Dez Bryant

Following an abundance of speculation regarding his injured finger, Dez Bryant vowed to play on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

According to Rotoworld.com the Cowboys wideout said the following to reporters: "only thing y'all need to know is I'm playing."

There you have it.