The Dallas Cowboys have been battling injury for all of the regualr season. Hardest hit, besides Tony Romo's ribs, have been the wide receivers and the cornerbacks. Both units should benefit greatly from the bye week.
Dez Bryant has been playing through injury, but hasn't been at full speed. He claims that for the New England game, all systems will be go.
I'm about 80-85 percent," Bryant said after Wednesday's light practice at Valley Ranch.
Then came this proclamation from Bryant: "I'll be 100 percent for New England."
That would be excellent news. And what would be even better is if he is joined by Miles Austin. We haven't seen anything new on Austin, but he's always been projected to be back after the bye. If both those guys are healthy, things change for the Cowboys offense. With the arrival of Laurent Robinson, and the consistent quality of Jason Witten, the Cowboys passing attack will be formidable.
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As for the cornerbacks, Mike Jenkins and Terence Newman appear to be healthy again, and after the bye they'll be joined by third corner Orlando Scandrick. And not a moment too soon because it will be a challenge for the Cowboys defense defending Tom Brady and Wes Welker.
Scandrick said he's "good to go" to play this week and that he'd be ready if there was a game this Sunday instead of the bye. But with the Patriots being next on the schedule, Scandrick said he's already got tape of the Patriots, including Welker, who he will likely be manned against in the slot.
"I feel good,'' Scandrick said "I'm excited about the challenge to come back and play against Wes Walker. It's an extreme challenge that I'm looking forward to."
Indeed.
Other injury news includes Gerald Sensabaugh who is not expected to have any problems returning to the field.
However, Sensabaugh doesn’t worry about being ready to play in two weeks after they bye. He said he could’ve played not only this week, but even back in the game against the Lions.
"I was good to go during the game, but I guess with the new precautionary reasons anytime you’re a little woozy they have to take you out of the game and you can’t come back," Sensabaugh said. "They won’t even let you go back on the field and watch the game. I was kind of disappointed in that. I really wanted to be a part of the game."
Nothing definitive on Jason Hatcher or Tony Fiametta yet.