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IRVING — Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant’s availability for Sunday is in serious doubt after he missed practice again Friday.
The Cowboys list Bryant as questionable with a deep thigh bruise. A day after telling local media at Valley Ranch that Bryant would play against San Francisco, owner Jerry Jones backed down on his weekly radio show. “We’re going to have to monitor that and are monitoring it,” Jones said Friday morning on 105.3 The Fan. “He didn’t practice the last couple of days… but of course we’ve got at least 48 hours before kickoff time. Hopefully he’ll feel better as we get closer to Sunday.” Jones followed with “it’s not” when asked a follow-up question about Dez being a “done deal” to play. Bryant was injured in the first half of Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. He did not have a catch in the second half, briefly leaving to get intravenous fluids for cramps. “It’s day to day,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said Friday morning before practice. “He hasn’t practiced the last couple of days. We’re hopeful he’ll continue to improve on his rehab, and hopefully be ready to go on Sunday afternoon.” A high-ankle sprain kept Bryant out of the 2010 preseason and a broken fibula prematurely ended his rookie season. He has had other nagging injuries as well in his two seasons, and the Cowboys would like to see him better protect himself. “You have got to make sure you secure the ball and certainly, you have to understand at times there’s a time to go down,” Garrett said. “But with Dez, it’s hard for us as coaches to go up to him and say, ‘Hey, don’t play the way you play.’ The reason we like him is how he plays. I think he can be smarter in some specific situations, though.” Kevin Ogletree will start if Bryant is sidelined. Nagy doubtful Rookie left guard Bill Nagy, who started against the Jets, is doubtful for Sunday’s game. Nagy injured his back during Wednesday’s practice. He did not practice Thursday or Friday. Veteran Derrick Dockery already had taken some first-team snaps away from Nagy before Nagy’s injury, and Dockery will start against the 49ers. Linebacker Sean Lee (back) was added to the injury report. He was limited in practice, but he is listed as probable for the game. Miles Austin (knee) also is probable after being limited in practice. Ginn effect The Cowboys’ special teams have one goal Sunday: Keep the ball away from 49ers returner Ted Ginn Jr. Ginn returned five punts for 92 yards and a touchdown and had four kickoff returns for 176 yards and a touchdown last week. “You’ve really got to be on, try and be at your best,” punter Mat McBriar said. “He’s dangerous, really dangerous. Hopefully he’s spent already. I need to tell him, ‘Last Sunday was a big day for you. Aren’t you tired?'” Kickoff specialist David Buehler had 51 touchbacks his first two seasons but only one on Sunday against the Jets. The Jets’ four kickoff returns averaged 19.5 yards, with the longest a return of 27 yards. “He’s a heck of a returner, but we’ve got a heck of a cover team,” Buehler said. “Obviously, it all starts with the kick, and I’ve got to get good hang time and good direction and good depth. “He has good speed, but we’re trying to make him move east and west and not north and south. That’s when he gets dangerous, when he’s moving downfield. We’re trying to make him move toward the sidelines, and if we do that and hit him hard and hit him in the mouth early, I don’t think he’ll want to run too hard against us.” Mark of a captain For the first time, the Cowboys’ team captains are wearing a “C” on their jerseys. Since 2007, the league has allowed teams to put the “C” — designating team captain — on jerseys. The Cowboys chose not to add the designation, and, at times, they rotated captains. But this year, Jason Garrett had the team vote on its captains, and those five players — two on offense, two on defense and one on special teams — each will wear the “C.” Jason Witten, Tony Romo, Mat McBriar, Bradie James and DeMarcus Ware were elected by their teammates last week before the Jets game. “It reminds you when you’re out there on the field that’s what you represent,” Witten said, “not only with your play, but how you lead. Obviously, it’s a good symbol.” Charean Williams 817-390-7760Looking for comments?