Dez Bryant broke a bone in his foot last week, and we heard everything from 4-6 to 6-8 weeks. But now NFL.com's Ian Rapaport is saying 10-12 weeks, and that changes a lot as far as whether he's worth keeping.
Bryant underwent a bone graft in the surgery, while also having a screw inserted into his foot. The initial timetable is unrealistic. The Cowboys say they're not going to put him on the IR-designated to return, which will cost him at least 8 weeks, but that could still happen.
Some leagues have IR spots, so no big deal. You stick Dez in an IR spot and hope he comes back to help you in the fantasy playoffs, and you fill his roster spot with somebody else.
But if you don't have that, and only have 4-5 bench spots to work with, it seems too long to keep him around. Yes, he'd be a great add come playoff time. But meanwhile you spend the majority of the season with one fewer spot to hold onto a backup running back, quarterback, or receiver who could explode and help you actually get to those playoffs.
Bryant was my first-round pick in the league I have him in, at No. 11 overall. I was willing to keep him for 6-8 weeks, but the idea that I won't even have him until the fantasy playoffs -- which I'd need to make without him helping me -- makes me think he won't be on my roster for all of it.
I'm not going to cut him today; reports can change or be revised. But come Wednesday or Thursday, if that estimate hasn't changed, and I see someone out there who can help my team in Weeks 3-11, Bryant might well be gone.
No reason not to pick up Devin Street and see what happens in leagues. Most likely it's Terrance Williams, Jason Witten, Cole Beasley and Lance Dunbar who will benefit, seeing more passes, but maybe Street steps up as a solid No. 2.
As for Dez, I know if I drop him, he'll get snapped up quickly. Maybe 11 weeks from now I'm facing him in the playoffs.
Right now, it seems like a chance I'm willing to take.