Obviously, the Cowboys won’t rush Bryant back this summer, but the hope is he will be 100 percent ready for training camp in Oxnard, Calif. in late July, if not sooner for a possible June mini-camp.
Bryant sustained the injury in the fourth quarter of the memorable Bengals game on Dec. 9. Bryant not only played through the injury, but caught two more passes, including a 27-yard touchdown that ignited a Cowboys’ comeback win.
The following Monday, there were discussions that Bryant’s season could be over, but after meeting with two hand specialists, the receiver made the decision to play through the injury for the rest of the season. He caught a touchdown pass the next week against Pittsburgh to extend his streak of six games with a score.
And then against New Orleans, Bryant had arguably the best game of his career, scoring on two straight 58-yard touchdown passes and ended up with a career-best 224 receiving yards in the Cowboys’ 34-31 overtime loss. The seven straight touchdown catches tied with three others for the franchise best.
But in Washington, Bryant’s streak came to an end, along with the Cowboys’ season. After catching four passes for 71 yards, Bryant couldn’t finish the game after sustaining a back injury that included spasms. He had to be helped off the field and even needed assistance going to the team charter on the return flight, in which he sat up in first class, normally used for coaches and front-office personnel.
Bryant spent last Monday in the hospital after returning from Washington, but no structural damage was found.
