ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reports that the injury suffered by Cowboys rookie receiver Dez Bryant toward the end of Friday’s practice is “likely” a high ankle sprain. Bryant is scheduled for an MRI on Friday night.
Cowboys executive V.P. Stephen Jones expressed optimism when asked about the injury earlier in the day, but league sources tell MacMahon that the damage to Bryant’s ankle is significant.
Bryant was the talk of spring practices and the start of training camp, and will lose momentum if he’s sidelined for 2-4 weeks. The injury also likely means that Roy Williams’ starting job is safer.
Assuming MacMahon’s report is correct and Bryant’s ankle sprain is of the high variety, slot receiver Patrick Crayton figures to get a bump in practice reps. Once a staple of Dallas’ three-receiver sets in the slot, Crayton opened camp no higher than No. 4 on the depth chart.
UPDATE: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Friday night that he expects Bryant to miss 4-6 weeks. And Roy Williams just dropped another pass.