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According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Cowboys expect Dez Bryant to play this weekend on Sunday Night Football against the Eagles.
Cowboys expect WR Dez Bryant, who missed past three games due to knee injury, to play Sunday night vs Eagles, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 24, 2016
Bryant, a perennial Pro Bowl wide receiver when healthy, has played in three games this season, catching 11 passes for 150 yards and one touchdown.
In his absence, Cole Beasley has stepped up for the Cowboys as rookie quarterback Dak Prescott’s primary target in the passing game. Beasley has 33 catches for 390 yards and three touchdowns, well on his way to the best season of his career.
With Bryant returning, an already-potent Dallas offense gains another playmaker. The Cowboys, who have started this season a surprising 5-1 with a rookie quarterback and rookie running back leading the way, are averaging the third-most offensive yards per game (401.5) in the league, trailing only the Falcons and Saints.
Bryant’s return could prove especially problematic for the Eagles, who have a thin secondary to begin with. On Monday, head coach Doug Pederson informed reporters that No. 3 cornerback Ron Brooks will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a quadriceps injury in Sunday’s win over the Vikings.
The winner of Sunday night’s game between the Eagles and Cowboys will be in first place in the NFC East with nine games left in the season.