IRVING –– With three days left before the Steelers come to Arlington, the Cowboys still don't know if wide receiver Dez Bryant will be able to play.
"We don't have a definitive plan for Dez right now," said Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett from Valley Ranch on Thursday. "We did see the doctor yesterday. Nothing has really changed. We're going to see how he feels today and see if there is a chance if he can play. He went through the walk through yesterday. He didn't do anything in practice yesterday so he seems like he's feeling fine but we have to make a decision there as to what we want to do. Dez is certainly part of that decision. The medical analysis is part of that decision as well."
The Cowboys appear to be trying to do everything they can to get him back on the field despite his fractured left index finger –– including a way to support the finger with a splint or tape. If Bryant re-injures the finger, it could cause permanent stiffness, which would minimize his ability to catch passes. With 75 receptions for 1,028 yards, Bryant is the team's leading wideout.
"I think we're looking at that right now to see if there is something we can get started on," Garrett said. "I think it’s very specific to the player. You have to customize it and see how he can function."
Garrett also says he doesn't expect Bryant to be fully involved in practice Thursday.
"We don't anticipate him catching passes today," Garrett said. "We're still kind of working through with what we want to do with him logistically both in the walk through and in practice. We just need to see if he can function the way he needs to."
Garrett would not say what the specialist's evaluation was.
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