The Dallas Cowboys are breathing a sigh of relief after an MRI on the knee of wide receiver Dez Bryant revealed no structural damage.
The third-year pro has been diagnosed with patellar tendonitis in his right knee after going down during Monday’s practice with the San Diego Chargers. Bryant slipped on the grass when coming out of a break before limping off the field with the help of trainers.
He later told reporters that he felt fine as he left the training room, but Cowboys officials wanted to leave nothing to chance and ordered the MRI as a precaution.
Patellar tendonitis is more commonly known as “jumper’s knee” and is often treated with rest. Bryant, a playmaker who hauled in 63 passes for 928 yards and nine touchdowns last year, is officially listed as questionable for Dallas’ preseason game against St. Louis this Saturday.
The injury is the second to befall the former Oklahoma State star in as many weeks. A hamstring injury limited him during much of practice last week.
The scare with Bryant is just the most recent malady to plague the Cowboys, who were already without starting receiver Miles Austin to a hamstring problem. Wideouts Andre Holmes (back) and Donovan Kemp (knee) also sustained injuries on Monday that forced them out of practice.
Their departures left the team practicing with Kevin Ogletree, Cole Beasley and Dwayne Harris.
Dallas is already without All-Pro tight end Jason Witten until the season-opening Sunday night game against the New York Giants on Sept. 5 at the earliest as he recovers from a lacerated spleen.
