Dez Bryant Injury: Updates on Cowboys Star's Week 4 Status and Fantasy Value

The Dallas Cowboys have been hit hard by injuries to start the 2011 NFL season. As the Cowboys take on the the Washington Redskins on Monday night, we will examine the status of Dez Bryant on Monday night and in Week 4.

Check back here for the most up-to-date information on Dez Bryant's injury.

UPDATE: Sunday, Oct. 2 at 10:40 p.m. EST

Roughly 20 minutes into today's game against the Lions, Dez Bryant looked like he was utterly unstoppable. With just under 11 minutes remaining in the second quarter, he had three catches for 37 yards and two touchdowns.

Bryant didn't have another catch the rest of the game, and the Cowboys ended up losing 34-30.

If you're wondering whether or not Bryant's thigh injury is to blame, Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett didn't even mention it.

“Dez made some plays in the first half. We got the ball to some other people in the second half," he said, per ESPN.

Garrett's right. The Cowboys did get the ball to other people in the second half. It's too bad some of them were wearing the wrong jerseys, as Tony Romo threw three second-half picks.

Regardless, it doesn't sound like Bryant's leg is to blame for his lackluster second half. Consider it safe to pencil him into your starting lineup in Week 6 when the Cowboys return from their Week 5 bye.

UPDATE: Sunday, Oct. 2 at 11:50 a.m. EST

Moments after our last update, ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted that Bryant is active and will play today against Detroit.

ESPN's Ed Werder reported on "Sunday NFL Countdown" that Cowboys' coaches didn't notice how much Bryant was "compromising" himself last week against Washington until they watched the tape of the game, which is why he did not practice much this week.

The good news: Bryant is playing. The bad news: We have no idea how effective he will be since he has not been able, or unwilling, to do much on the practice field.

UPDATE: Sunday, Oct. 2 at 11:20 a.m. EST

Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News reports that Bryant finished his warm-ups at the stadium and looked good coming off the field.

At this point, all signs are go for Bryant. Barring some setback between now and kick-off, which is highly unlikely, the second-year receiver is going to be in the lineup for the Cowboys against the Lions.

As far as fantasy is concerned, be cautious before you put him in the lineup. Not only is he ailing, but Tony Romo is hurting too, so it could be a tough day for the Cowboys offense against a good Lions defense.

UPDATE: Sunday, Oct. 2 at 8:30 a.m. EST

The Cowboys need Dez Bryant to play in this game against the Lions because they are going to have to score a lot of points and need all the playmakers they can get with Miles Austin sitting out this week.

According to a report on ESPN.com, Bryant is still listed as questionable but was able to participate in the team's walk-through on Saturday. He did not practice on Thursday or Friday, so this is a step in the right direction.

Bryant was able to grin and bear it last Monday against Washington, and had four catches for 63 yards in that game. I would expect him to do the same thing today against Detroit.

UPDATE: Saturday, Oct. 1 at 2:19 p.m. EDT

The Dallas Cowboys need all the help they can get at wideout with the injury to Miles Austin, and hearing that Dez Bryant didn’t practice all week is a bad sign nor fans of America’s team.

ESPN Dallas NFL insider Tim MacMahon is reporting on twitter about Dez Bryant’s lack of participation in Friday’s practice:

It seems like Dez Bryant is becoming the Manny Ramirez of the NFL with his ‘Dez being Dez’ antics, and hopefully it doesn’t affect his play on the field. If you have Bryant in fantasy, he shouldn’t be started until you know he is 100 percent healthy.

UPDATE: Friday, Sept. 30 at 1:16 p.m. ET 

Bryant was seen at the Cowboys practice today, but unfortunately he didn't actually participate all that much. 

The Cowboys were hoping Bryant would be able to be a full participant in practice, but the thigh continues to be an issue.

It doesn't look good for Bryant on Sunday against the Lions. He barely practiced this week, and because he sat out today it appears as though he isn't going to play.

We'll continue to monitor his status, but a clear-cut decision likely won't be made till Monday.  

UPDATE: Thursday, Sept. 29 at 2:53 p.m. EDT

After being limited in practice yesterday, Bryant was nowhere to be found today. He did not attend practice, and was not anywhere on the field according to Cowboys Corner,

"

Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant was not at practice Thursday during the 25 minutes open to the media. Bryant, who deeply bruised his thigh during the victory over the 49ers on Sept. 18, had been limited in practice Wednesday. The Cowboys will be without receiver Miles Austin another week as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Austin is expected to return after the bye week.

"

The fact that he wasn't on the field for any sort of practice isn't good for Bryant owners, but you would think he should be able to go on Sunday, even on a short week.

UPDATE: Thursday, Sept. 29 at 1:07 p.m. EDT

According to Bryan Broaddus of ESPN Dallas, Bryant missed practice today because his thigh is very tight from Monday's game.

With it being a short week this week, the missed practice should be expected from Bryant. It would be a bit surprising though if he missed this week's game against Detroit.

UPDATE: Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 1:45 p.m. EDT

The Dallas Cowboys had a less than 100 percent Dez Bryant last week against the Washington Redskins, and he was the biggest difference on the final drive that won the game. Dallas need Bryant back with Miles Austin out, and things may be getting better with the Cowboys.

Reporter for SportsDay at The Dallas Morning News Brandon George is reporting about Dez Bryant’s participation in practice:

While it is still a huge risk to play Dez Bryant with the potential for his leg injury to flare up again, the absence of Miles Austin means Bryant will be Tony Romo’s No. 1 target. This week might be the week to take the risk.

UPDATE: Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 9:55 a.m. EDT

The Dallas Cowboys have been plagued by injuries so far this season, but the strength and pain threshold of their star quarterback has brought the best out of the teams other players.

After Monday’s victory over the Washington Redskins, Dez Bryant took to twitter to explain why he played through the pain:

While Bryant will not practice this week, it will be because the Cowboys want him to rest his injured leg and not because they think he will miss the game. Bryant will play in Week 4, but I wouldn’t start him on your fantasy team until he shows that he is 100 percent.

Updated: Tuesday, September 27, 11:45 a.m. EDT

In what was basically a field goal kicking contest between Dan Bailey and Graham Gano last night, it was Dez Bryant who was on the receiving end of the game's biggest play.

After the game Bryant said it was his quarterback Tony Romo, who is battling broken ribs and a punctured lung, that motivated him to be on the field:

"

He motivated me to go out there tonight when I obviously wasn't 100 percent ... I mean, broken rib, punctured lung, and he's out there. You've got to be willing to put yourself out there for a guy like that.

"

We should expect the same next week from the second-year receiver.

Bryant finished the night with four catches for 63 yards on four targets.

With Miles Austin expected to be out of the lineup until at least the bye week, the Cowboys need Bryant on the field as much as possible. Even if he misses some practice time resting his quad, he will be expected to play next week against the undefeated Detroit Lions.

Updated: Monday, September 26, 7:50 p.m. EDT

It's official. After a one-week hiatus, Bryant is going to be able to play for the Cowboys tonight against the Washington Redskins. NFL.com's Michael Fabiano says so.

This is good news for Tony Romo, as he now has an extra target to compensate for the loss of Miles Austin, who is out of tonight's game with a hamstring injury.

If you have Bryant on your fantasy team, I would go ahead and start him. He may not be 100 percent healthy, but that doesn't mean Romo is going to ignore him. He could very well be in for a big night.

Updated: Monday, September 26, 6:40 p.m. EDT

There's still no official word regarding Bryant's status for Monday night's game against the Washington Redskins, but ESPN's John Clayton was kind enough to pass along the word that Bryant is looking good in pregame warmups.

I think you have to take this for what it's worth. Saying that Bryant "may" play is all well and good, but it's not quite as good as "will" play.

So for now, stay tuned. Sounds like Bryant is going to be game-time decision.

Updated: Monday, September 26, 2:50 p.m. EDT

The Dallas Cowboys take on the Washington Redskins with a hobbled Tony Romo, injured Felix Jones and ailing Dez Bryant.

Cowboys fans are crossing their fingers for any bit of good news. Bryant is suffering from a lingering quad injury. Here is what ESPN's Adam Schefter had for us in the form of a tweet on Saturday.

That left fantasy players with hope they could get some sort of production from the star wide receiver. The fantasy leg of CBS Sports tweeted this spot of good news on Monday. 

That gives us a good place to begin analyzing Bryant for Monday night and beyond. The Cowboys get an underrated defense on Monday night. 

With Miles Austin sidelined, the secondary will be keyed in on Bryant. I am afraid most owners have already made their decision by Monday night. You have either kept him out over others on Sunday, or have kept him available to play Monday night. 

If it is the latter, you can feel safe that he will almost certainly play, but will not put up gaudy numbers. This is a wait and see situation for Week 4. 

Don't expect Bryant to have a tremendous game. What we are looking for is his projected form against the Detroit Lions next weekend. 

In a perfect world, you will have sat Bryant Monday, gauging his form for the Lions game.