Dez Bryant Won't Be Shut Down for Rest of 2015-16 Season, Says Jerry Jones

The Dallas Cowboys' playoff hopes are on life support, but owner Jerry Jones still intends to utilize his best players heavily for the remainder of the season, including wide receiver Dez Bryant. 

Bryant missed five games with a broken bone in his foot before returning to action in Week 8, but it hasn't translated to on-field success for the two-time Pro Bowler or the Cowboys as a whole.

Despite being two games back of the Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants in the NFC East, though, Jones, who recently appeared as a guest on 105.3 The Fan, has no interest in shutting Bryant down to preserve his health for 2016, according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News:

The Cowboys essentially need a miracle in order to make the playoffs, as they currently sit with a record of 4-9 and are without star quarterback Tony Romo for the rest of the 2015 campaign.

Dallas would likely benefit from losing out and getting a top draft pick more so than attempting to win the rest of its games, but that isn't an approach that interests Jones, per Machota:

Bryant clearly hasn't been the same dynamic player observers have come to recognize, as he has registered just 27 receptions for 351 yards and two touchdowns in eight contests.

Poor quarterback play is a significant factor, but a lack of explosion has been evident, too, especially in a Week 14 loss to the Green Bay Packers, as he caught just one pass.

The Cowboys' window of opportunity to vie for a Super Bowl is closing at the same rate as Romo's career, which gives Jones all the incentive in the world to load up for 2016.

He is instead opting to play out the 2015 season at full strength, which is honorable in a day and age when tanking is prevalent but likely not smart since he could be putting one of his biggest stars in harm's way.

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