Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been openly optimistic for weeks that wide receiver Dez Bryant would be ready to play after the team's bye week despite an initial recovery timetable from his broken foot that said it was unlikely.
Now we've arrived into true Week 7 preparation time, and the optimism is waning. Bryant did not participate in any team drills Wednesday, and he only worked off to the side. Translation: He's not that close to playing.
This isn't a surprise if you've been following the reporting from NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, who said this week that Bryant was unlikely to play.