Bryant sits with recurring foot injury
Falcon RB injured from slip in shower
Dallas coach Jason Garrett said Dez Bryant will play on Sunday “if he’s healthy,” but the star receiver still has not practiced this week.
“Like with everybody, his situation will be strictly a medical decision,” Garrett said Thursday. “If he’s healthy and ready to play, he’ll play. If he’s not, he won’t.”
Bryant was not at practice Thursday for the portion open to the media, and Garrett said he did not anticipate Bryant practicing.
Bryant’s injury is not new, the coach said. It’s related to the fractured fifth metatarsal in Bryant’s right foot, which required surgery after the season opener.
“He’s been dealing with this injury here for the last few weeks, both the foot and the ankle,” Garrett said. “Based on how it was feeling yesterday, he wasn’t able to practice. Again, we’ll take his situation day by day.”
Bryant missed five games after undergoing surgery, returning for the Seahawks game Nov. 1. He had been a full participant in practice since Dec. 4 before missing Wednesday.
Bryant has 31 receptions for 401 yards and three touchdowns this season. He has not had much work with new starting quarterback Kellen Moore, who played 40 snaps against the Jets last week.
Receiver Cole Beasley, who missed Wednesday’s practice with an illness, was back on the field for the start of practice Thursday. Cornerback Morris Claiborne won’t play. This will be the fourth game the Dallas Cowboys cornerback has missed this season because of a strained right hamstring.
FALCONS: Running back Tevin Coleman, the team’s second-leading rusher, slipped in the shower and suffered a concussion on Wednesday.
Atlanta (7-7) is set to face the undefeated Carolina Panthers (14-0) on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
He’s now in the concussion protocol program, coach Dan Quinn said on Thursday.
“He slipped in the shower yesterday and fell and hit his head,” Quinn said. “He’s in the concussion protocol. That’s unfortunate.”
Coleman, the team’s thirdround draft choice, has rushed 87 times for 392 yards and one touchdown.
GIANTS: Rueben Randle is the logical choice to take more responsibility in the absence of star receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who is suspended for his actions last Sunday against Carolina. However, Randle battled knee issues all season and his 51 catches for 638 yards and six touchdowns are disappointing.
Eli Manning will have other options besides Randle. Dwayne Harris has shown flashes, catching 35 catches and four touchdowns. Veteran Hakeem Nicks also has a lot of experience, but the 2009 firstround pick hasn’t done much since rejoining the team four games ago. He has four catches for 26 yards.
BILLS: Coach Rex Ryan says he’s taking the approach that running back LeSean McCoy will not play against Dallas on Sunday because of an injured right knee. McCoy missed his second straight practice on Thursday.
SAINTS: Quarterback Drew Brees, who has a tear of his plantar fascia ligament in his right foot, said he has “every intention” of playing on Sunday. Backups Matt Flynn and Garrett Grayson both got some first-team snaps this week in case they are needed.