Dez Bryant - Pro Football Rumors

East Notes: Patriots, Cowboys, Jeffcoat

November 12th, 2015 at 4:52pm CST by Luke Adams

With running back Dion Lewis out for the season, the Patriots are on the lookout for potential additions at the position, bringing in a couple more veteran free agents for workouts this week, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Rapoport tweets that Pierre Thomas and Robert Turbin, recently cut by the 49ers and Browns respectively, auditioned for the Pats.

Thomas, in particular, could be a good fit in New England, since catching passes out of the backfield is one of his strength. However, in his brief stint in San Francisco, it looked like he was still attempting to shake off some rust after sitting out most of the 2015 season. The Pats also tried out Daryl Richardson earlier this week, so it’ll be interesting to see if they add another back within the next week or two, or if they try to get by with a combination of LeGarrette Blount, James White, and Brandon Bolden for now.

Here’s more from around the NFL’s East divisions:

As if the Cowboys‘ locker room wasn’t already a tense place to be these days, with the team having lost six straight games, and the presence of Greg Hardy drawing increased scrutiny, things got even more emotional today. As Eric Prisbell of USA Today outlines, wide receiver Dez Bryant yelled and cursed at multiple reporters today in the Dallas locker room, believing one had called teammate Devin Street a racial slur, though that charge was uncorroborated by other media members in the area.
With a game against the Patriots looming, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin admitted that he regrets the fact that Julian Edelman isn’t wearing a Giants uniform this weekend (link via Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com). The Pats receiver visited New York as a free agent in 2013, but ultimately opted to re-sign with New England.
Linebacker Jackson Jeffcoat showed that he could be a good reserve player for Washington, but he ultimately came up short on special teams, Rich Tandler of CSNMidAtlantic.com writes. Jeffcoat was quickly placed on IR and released from IR with a settlement this week.
Speaking to Colin Cowherd this week, former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman – who hasn’t played in the NFL in 15 years – said he still has the arm strength to go out and play in the league (link via the Dallas Morning News). So if quarterbacks like Drew Brees and Tom Brady want to play well into their forties, arm strength shouldn’t be the issue — it’ll be a matter of avoiding injuries like the chronic back issue that forced Aikman into retirement.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Extra Points: Dez, Cruz, Jets, Browns

September 25th, 2015 at 9:22pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The NFC East-leading Cowboys are optimistic that injured receiver Dez Bryant will return after their Week 6 bye, chief operating officer Stephen Jones told 105.3 The Fan on Friday. Bryant had surgery Sept. 14 to repair a fractured bone in his right foot that he suffered in Dallas’ Week 1 win over the Giants. There’s been plenty of speculation since regarding the amount of time the two-time Pro Bowler could miss.

“We really feel like it’s a very fair goal to think that Dez will be back after the bye,” said Jones, per Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News.

If Jones is right, Bryant will only miss three more games – matchups against the Falcons, Saints and Patriots. His return, whenever it comes, will be a boon to a team that’s also without star quarterback Tony Romo for an extended period of time.

Sunday Roundup: Bryant, Chancellor, Broncos

September 20th, 2015 at 10:27pm CST by Rob DiRe

Cowboys dynamic receiver Dez Bryant has a very unclear timeline for his return. Initial reports had him returning in 4-6 weeks, while subsequent stories suggested he could miss as many as 10 or 12 games due to his foot injury. However, amidst these conflicting reports, Bryant himself chose to weigh in on these reports via his personal Twitter account.

“Whenever the media can’t talk to me, reports get made like this,” Bryant tweeted. “10 to 12 weeks… we will just see how long I’m out lol. Go cowboys!!”

Here’s more from around the NFL:

Seahawks general manager John Schneider can sleep a little easier while holding strong in his stance against renegotiating Kam Chancellor‘s contract. Owner Paul Allen supports Schneider in this standoff, reports Conor Orr of NFL.com. That is one less force pressuring the team to soften its stance on negotiations with the superstar safety.
The Broncos may be 2-0 after escaping with narrow wins against both Baltimore and Kansas City, but they have a big question at running back. Starter C.J. Anderson has been ineffective, and backup Ronnie Hillman has emerged as a potentially better option for Denver. Troy Renck and Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post argue about if and when the team should make a change.
Many fans were confused by how quickly the Texans switched from Brian Hoyer to Ryan Mallett after just one game. Kevin Patra of NFL.com passes on a few reasons, courtesy of reporting done by Ian Rapoport. Those reasons include the spark Mallett brought to the team, how he handled losing the starting job, eliminating negative plays, and simply looking for star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

Latest On Dez Bryant’s Recovery

September 20th, 2015 at 11:21am CST by Rory Parks

11:21am: Clarence Hill of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram confirms (via Twitter) that the the time frame for Bryant’s return remains six to eight weeks. Hill’s colleague at the Star-Telegram, Charean Williams, tweets that a bone graft simply indicates that Bryant had a bad break. It is not, however, uncommon to have a bone graft in that part of the foot. But, as Jay Glazer of FOXSports appropriately cautions (via Twitter), there are way too many variables in this injury for anyone to give an exact timeline.

8:31am: We heard earlier this week that ESPN’s Dr. Mark Adickes believes Dez Bryant‘s broken foot may keep him out for eight to 12 weeks, much longer than the four t0 six week timeline that was originally reported when Bryant sustained the injury in the Cowboys’ season opener against the Giants. As it turns out, Dr. Adcikes may be right. Bryant underwent surgery on the foot last Monday, and as Ian Rapoport of The NFL Network reports, the star wideout required a bone graft during that procedure, which could extend the healing process and keep Bryant off the field for 10-12 weeks.

However, ESPN’s Ed Werder and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk have a different take on the matter. Werder’s sources suggest that the bone graft actually enhances Bryant’s chances of returning in six weeks, though the team is prepared to be without him for eight weeks (Twitter link). Similarly, Florio’s source, NBC Sports Medicine Analyst Mike Ryan, says the procedure does not necessarily extend Bryant’s recovery time. Instead, Bryant’s return will be based on two factors: how quickly he heals and the team’s comfort level with the risk of re-injury.

As we learned last week, the Cowboys had previously decided against using their IR/designated to return slot on Bryant, as such a designation would sideline Bryant for at least eight weeks. Since the team was confident in an aggressive rehab and recovery, that was a move it was unwilling to make at the time. Certainly, the Cowboys would have been aware that Bryant required a bone graft when they made that decision, so at this point it appears as though the timeline that Werder provides is more accurate.

Nonetheless, Bryant’s surgery was a major one, and it is obviously difficult to accurately predict its effects. It is still possible that the team may be without Bryant until December; Bryant himself said after his surgery that he was “getting ready for the playoff run,” which hints at a lengthier recovery (Twitter link via Rapoport). At the moment, though, Cowboys fans at least have reason to be a little more optimistic than that.

NFC East Notes: Dez, Washington, Eagles

September 15th, 2015 at 8:57am CST by Luke Adams

The Cowboys are hoping Dez Bryant returns in four to six week after undergoing foot surgery, but ESPN’s Dr. Mark Adickes thinks eight to 12 weeks might be a more realistic recovery time frame for the star wideout (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). For now, the Cowboys have no plans to use their IR/designated to return slot on Bryant — such a move would sideline him for at least eight weeks.

Let’s round up a few more items from around the NFC East….

With starting cornerback Chris Culliver set to miss Washington‘s Week 2 contest due to a one-game suspension, the club is bringing in free agent corner Will Blackmon for a visit today, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link). Blackmon, who was cut by the Jaguars earlier in 2015, signed with the Seahawks in March but was released by Seattle during the cutdown to 53 players.
Before Washington signed free agent kicker Dustin Hopkins yesterday, the team also worked out former Dolphins kicker Caleb Sturgis, along with punter Brandon Fields, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
The Eagles auditioned tight ends Connor Hamlett, Brian Leonhardt, and Jacob Maxwell, per Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter). Presumably, those workouts took place before the club was certain that Zach Ertz – coming off groin surgery – would be ready for such a significant role on Monday night.
Cornerback Byron Maxwell, the Eagles‘ biggest free agent addition of the winter, was also the team’s biggest disappointment in Week 1, writes Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. McLane also notes that the offensive line – featuring Allen Barbre and Andrew Gardner in starting roles – was overmatched by Atlanta’s defensive front, which could raise questions about Philadelphia’s decision to cut both Evan Mathis and Todd Herremans in the offseason.

Dez Bryant Out At Least Four Weeks

September 14th, 2015 at 5:16pm CST by Zachary Links

5:16pm: According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN (Twitter link), Bryant actually underwent his procedure today, getting a screw inserted in his foot. The wideout’s recovery time is fluid, and could range from four weeks to eight weeks, says Mortensen.

3:44pm: The team does not plan on using the IR-DTR designation on Bryant, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). With rehab, the team is hoping that his timetable will be closer to four weeks than six.

9:14am: Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks with a broken bone in his right foot, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Bryant will have surgery on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer.

Bryant was off to a solid start in 2015 as he caught five passes for 48 yards in the Sunday night win over the Giants. However, he’ll have to wait until October to resume play under his lucrative new five-year, $70MM deal. With Bryant sidelined, the Cowboys will be relying even more heavily on tight end Jason Witten as well as receivers like Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley.

Bryant, 26, has established himself as an elite, durable wideout during the first five seasons of his career. The former first-round pick has racked up 381 catches and 56 touchdowns while appearing in 75 of a possible 80 regular-season games since Dallas selected him 24th overall out of Oklahoma State in 2010. Bryant hasn’t missed a game since 2011 and is coming off his third straight season with at least 88 catches and 12 TDs.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder set a new career high for touchdowns in 2014 by reaching the end zone 16 times, and he also tied his previous best yards-per-catch mark (15.0). As a result, Bryant earned First-Team All-Pro honors and his second consecutive Pro Bowl invitation.

In addition to Bryant, Cowboys rookie defensive end Randy Gregory suffered a high ankle sprain in Sunday’s game and will miss four to six weeks, according to Clarence Hill of the Forth Worth Star-Telegram (on Twitter).

Cowboys Notes: S. Jackson, Tryouts, Dez

July 31st, 2015 at 12:54pm CST by Luke Adams

Notable free agent running backs like Ray Rice and Chris Johnson have been linked to the Cowboys in recent weeks, but it appears those rumors are coming from the players’ side rather than from the team, as executive VP Stephen Jones said yesterday that the club has no plans to add a veteran back.

That didn’t stop another veteran free agent, Steven Jackson, from publicly lobbying the team for an opportunity though. As Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk details, Jackson made use of Photoshop and Twitter in trying to get the Cowboys’ attention.

It’s no surprise that Dallas looks like a desirable destination for free agent running backs, considering the team has one of the league’s best offensive lines and no clear-cut candidate to carry the workload now that DeMarco Murray is an Eagle. But for now at least, it appears the Cowboys want to get a good look at the backs on their roster in training camp before they make any changes at the position.

Here’s more out of Dallas:

With Keith Rivers having retired and Rolando McClain not available for the start of the season, the Cowboys are perusing the free agent market for linebackers. According to Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com (via Twitter), the club is bringing in Keith Smith, Lawrence Wilson, and Ashlee Palmer for workouts. Tight end Gator Hoskins is also auditioning for Dallas, notes Archer.
Dez Bryant‘s new $70MM contract isn’t going to change the way he plays, as Archer writes in a piece for ESPN.com. “It’s no pressure. That deal don’t make me,” Bryant said. “I play this game because I love this game. I don’t give a damn about none of that. It’s not going to change the way I play. It’s not going to change the way I act.”
Over two weeks ago, we heard that Greg Hardy would make a decision “any time now” on whether or not to take the NFL to court over his suspension. Based on how quiet it’s been on the Hardy front, it seems increasingly likely that the defensive end will simply accept his four-game ban, and Cowboys radio analyst Babe Laufenberg thinks the team would be in favor of that decision (link via Dallas Morning News).

NFC Notes: Peterson, Panthers, Levy, Dez

July 27th, 2015 at 3:06pm CST by Luke Adams

A couple reports this offseason suggested that Adrian Peterson was at least briefly contemplating retirement, but it doesn’t sound like the Vikings running back is leaning toward leaving the game anytime soon. Speaking to Peter King of TheMMQB.com, Peterson said he feels like he can continue playing until he’s “36 or 37 years old — and at a high level.”

Here’s more from around the NFC:

The Panthers have finalized contract extensions for a number of key players this offseason, including quarterback Cam Newton, linebacker Thomas Davis, and tight end Greg Olsen. Linebacker Luke Kuechly appears to be next in line for a new deal, but if the two sides don’t reach an agreement within the next few weeks, it’ll have to wait until 2016. Panthers GM Dave Gettleman tells Bill Voth of the Black and Blue Review that he won’t negotiate extensions during the season: “Once the regular season begins, that’s it.”
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) believes there’s a good chance the Lions lock up linebacker DeAndre Levy to a new contract at some point before the season begins. According to Rapoport, Detroit views Levy as an “essential” piece.
One source tells Jason Cole of Bleacher Report that the way the Cowboys structured Dez Bryant‘s new contract to protect themselves is “brilliant.” However, Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News argues that Cole’s report overstates the concerns the Cowboys have about the star receiver’s off-field conduct.
Byron Maxwell‘s name usually doesn’t come up when NFL fans and observers debate the top cornerbacks in the league. But after the Eagles signed him to a deal that pays him like a top-five corner, Maxwell is confident that he can be in that mix, writes Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Following New Orleans’ release of pass rusher Junior Galette, Bill Barnwell of Grantland examines the Saints‘ cap situation, openly wondering about Drew Brees‘ future with the franchise.

NFLPA Could Proceed With Collusion Case Against Cowboys, Broncos

July 22nd, 2015 at 12:04pm CST by Zachary Links

Despite previous reports to the contrary, the NFLPA could still pursue their collusion case against the Broncos and Cowboys, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The union is still assessing whether to proceed and has not lifted the notice requiring the teams to preserve any emails, text messages, or other documents that could be relevant to the case.

Evidence of possible collusion between the Cowboys and Broncos reportedly stemmed from a conversation that took place between Dez Bryant and Cowboys COO Stephen Jones. Jones explained to Bryant that the Calvin Johnson contract, which is the most lucrative deal for a wide receiver in the NFL, had no relevance to other receivers because of the unique circumstances surrounding those negotiations. Then, according to Bryant’s account (per the source), Jones told the receiver that he talked to Broncos GM John Elway about the situation. Because the Broncos also had franchise-tagged receiver in Demaryius Thomas, the admission that Jones and Elway communicated about the situation constitutes evidence of collusion.

Florio notes that it will be difficult for Thomas or Bryant to prove that they suffered any real financial loss, given that they both signed five-year, $70MM deals. However, there’s value to all players in exposing collusion, since it could prevent other teams from doing it in the future. As far as we know, the only real evidence the NFLPA has to prove collusion would be the testimony of Bryant. However, a discovery process could unearth a smoking gun or two to benefit their side.

East Notes: Brady, Coughlin, Brooks

July 19th, 2015 at 11:01am CST by Rory Parks

We still do not know what will come of the Tom Brady saga, but as we await Roger Goodell‘s final decision on Brady’s suspension, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe provides something of a different perspective on the story. Although it has been widely assumed that Brady would file a lawsuit against the NFL and seek an injunction to stay his suspension unless it is completely wiped out, that decision could be harder than it appears.

After all, although a lawsuit carries little legal risk for Brady–he would not have to share any evidence like text messages or emails, and any sworn statements he makes would likely replicate what he has already said–the on-field ramifications could be a different matter. On the one hand, a lawsuit could delay the process so long that Brady ends up playing the entire 2015 season, but he could also lose in court and be forced to serve the suspension later in the 2015 campaign when the Patriots are fighting for playoff positioning. A loss, of course, would also lend a great deal of validation to Brady’s critics and would cast a pall over his career. Plus, even if he were able to get the suspension lifted, the NFL could appeal and potentially have the suspension restored later in the season.

Brady will have a lot to mull over when Goodell finally hands down his decision, and out of everyone who Brady may consult as he decides how to proceed, it is difficult to find a truly impartial adviser. As Volin writes, “Realistically, only one person can truly decide what’s best for Tom Brady — the man himself. Hopefully, he understands that.”

Now let’s take a look at some more links from the team’s east divisions:

Jordan Raanan of NJ.com writes that Giants head coach Tom Coughlin needs to get his team into the playoffs this year if he wants to keep his job. Owner John Mara said after the 2014 season that 2015 is a win-or-else year for a lot of people in the organization, and that includes Coughlin.
Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com examines whether Jason Pierre-Paul would have reached a long-term deal with the Giants if not for the well-publicized fireworks accident that cost JPP his right index finger.
Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News details Ron Brooks‘ attempts to establish himself as a starting-caliber corner for the Bills as the former fourth-round pick enters the fourth and final year of his rookie deal.
Benjamin Hochman and Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post debate whether the Cowboys or Broncos got more bang for their buck in the recent extensions of Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas.