Healthy Cowboys Prep For New York Giants
Follow 1053TheFan.COM: Facebook | Twitter
IRVING (The Fan) - The bubble-wrapping of Dallas Cowboys standouts might just pay off this week as All-Pro candidates Dez Bryant, Zack Martin and Tyron Smith are all expected to be full-go for Wednesday's practice in preparation for the Sunday night season-opener against the visiting Giants.
Bryant has nursed a hamstring injury since Aug. 6, though the receiver said repeatedly he could've been playing in the preseason. Guard Martin (neck) is returning to practice this week and will wear a neck roll. Tyron Smith has a biceps injury but should also be fine.
Coach Jason Garrett was asked about timing issues for Bryant and quarterback Tony Romo and seemed unconcerned.
"We're fortunate Tony and Dez have a lot of time on task over the years," Garrett said. "And they have spent a lot of time together on the practice field. They've obviously played a lot in games together.''
A Romo issue going forward will be whether he'll take off Wednesdays as he did last season after coming off back surgery.
"We're discussing what the best thing is for him and really for all the guys as we go week to week," Garrett said. "He's certainly done a lot more over the course of the offseason and training camp this year than he has the last two years. We feel good about where he is physically and then we'll just have those discussions about how we want to handle each week and we'll finalize those here in the next couple of days."
The Cowboys think they'll have good news on wide receiver Devin Street (ankle) as they expect him to practice Wednesday. There are lingering concerns for linebacker Anthony Hitchens, who has missed a large part of the summer with a right foot injury.
"Optimistic,'' Garrett said of his Hitchens thoughts. "Hopefully he can practice when we get on the practice field on Wednesday."
That could be the case for the entire roster minus cornerback Orlando Scandrick (knee), who is out for the season. But otherwise, proceeding through the summer with some level of care is a so-far/so-good move.
(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
