In case you missed it, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant has missed OTAs this week with a sore hamstring and will likely have to sit out this weekend's mandatory minicamp. Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com wonders how much of a setback this will be for Bryant.
We've seen players who battle hamstring issues throughout entire seasons (Giants, anyone?), but Bryant doesn't have a history of those types of issues. I think he's still adjusting to NFL workouts, so there will be an occasional problem. But I wouldn't spend too much time worrying about Bryant's chemistry with quarterback Tony Romo. He's a instinctive receiver who does an excellent job controlling his body.
He and Romo will have plenty of time to work things out as the Cowboys shuttle between San Antonio and Oxnard, Calif., for training camp. Over the years, I've seen a lot of rookies struggle with pulled muscles in the offseason. They're simply not used to all of these OTA sessions. You have to keep in mind that Bryant's junior season at Oklahoma State was cut short because of his lie to the NCAA about a visit with Deion Sanders.
He went months without going through a normal practice, so some of these things are to be expected. Now if the hamstring issues keep cropping up in training camp, then it's time to be concerned. For now, Bryant can "enjoy" the time on the sideline with Cowboys athletic trainer Britt Brown, who will make him wish he were on the practice field with his teammates.
We've seen players who battle hamstring issues throughout entire seasons (Giants, anyone?), but Bryant doesn't have a history of those types of issues. I think he's still adjusting to NFL workouts, so there will be an occasional problem. But I wouldn't spend too much time worrying about Bryant's chemistry with quarterback Tony Romo. He's a instinctive receiver who does an excellent job controlling his body.
He and Romo will have plenty of time to work things out as the Cowboys shuttle between San Antonio and Oxnard, Calif., for training camp. Over the years, I've seen a lot of rookies struggle with pulled muscles in the offseason. They're simply not used to all of these OTA sessions. You have to keep in mind that Bryant's junior season at Oklahoma State was cut short because of his lie to the NCAA about a visit with Deion Sanders.
He went months without going through a normal practice, so some of these things are to be expected. Now if the hamstring issues keep cropping up in training camp, then it's time to be concerned. For now, Bryant can "enjoy" the time on the sideline with Cowboys athletic trainer Britt Brown, who will make him wish he were on the practice field with his teammates.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Dan Graziano
Graziano joined ESPN.com in 2011 after two years as a Senior NFL Writer for AOL FanHouse. He covered Major League Baseball, the Olympics and various other sports during his time at the Star-Ledger and the Palm Beach Post. A New Jersey native and author of two published novels, he now lives in Ridgewood, N.J., with his wife and two sons.
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