Dez Bryant Out Four To Six Weeks With High Ankle Sprain

Dez Bryant just can’t stay out of the news.

The Cowboy rookie was hurt on the next to last play at Friday’s practice and will now be sidelined for four to six weeks with a high ankle sprain.

The initial report had Bryant missing about a month, but recent news make it look like it will be closer to six weeks. SI’s Peter King reportedly had dinner with Jerry Jones on Friday night and reported the team expects him to miss the preseason, but be ready for opening day. Realistically, nobody really knows for sure and reports are flying all over the place.

What amazes me at this point is the high element of panic that I’m sensing among dynasty league owners this morning. This injury doesn’t change anything as far as Bryant’s dynasty value goes. In fact, I’d challenge that it doesn’t really change his re-draft fantasy value as much as many think, either.

Here’s a quick perspective.

Dez Bryant’s Dynasty Value

Dez had been incredibly impressive at practice thus far. He was displaying a strong work ethic and quick grasp of the playbook. Every day seemed to bring another highlight reel catch.

The injury is unfortunate, but this is nothing like a torn knee ligament or shoulder injury. With no injury history to speak of, dynasty league owners may just have to wait a few more weeks to see his real impact.

Patience will be rewarded.

Dez Bryant’s Redraft Value

This gets a little sticky, but not as much as people think. Many owners are going to make the mistake of taking him off their redraft lists starting today.

That’s going to be a little impulsive.

Owners in redraft leagues would have likely waited at least a few weeks before inserting Bryant into their lineups anyway. If he gets on the field for week one, nothing really changes that much. He’ll push Roy Williams for the starting job quickly and should have the big second half we expected all along.

If you were expecting dominant production early in the season, that was likely a little foolhardy anyway. He’s still a rookie after all.

While we won’t have the chance to really evaluate him during preseason games, he’s shown enough in practice to make believers out of most already. It’s just going to a little time, but his impact will be felt this season.

The Roy Williams Issue

If I’m a Roy Williams owner in a dynasty league, I shop him as hard as I can today. If you can find someone who thinks the Bryant injury is going to be something that seriously impedes his quest to take over Williams’ job this season, pounce on it.

While Williams’ re-draft value is improved significantly, he’s still not someone I’d target as anything other than a late-round flier.

I’ve just simply seen enough.

Other Cowboy WRs

Bryant’s injury could actually be a blessing for dynasty owners. Having a chance to see some other Cowboy players like Sam Hurd and Kevin Ogletree play this preseason should give everyone a chance to further evaluate their long-term prospects.

Summary

It’s pretty easy, really. In a dynasty league, I’m holding tight to Bryant and looking to sell Williams as fast as I can.

Get off the bridge, people.

Article written by Ken Kelly
DynastyLeagueFootball.com

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