Seven months after tearing an Achilles tendon, former New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant shared a video on social media of his first full-length strides as a runner. The injury was surgically repaired, and Bryant has been very transparent throughout his recovery, at one point sharing a brief video with the doctor who performed the procedure, to confirm it went well.
Whether Bryant will have a second attempt at stardom with the Saints is up in the air. Saints coach Sean Payton was ambivalent when asked about Bryant’s status late in March during NFL owners meetings in Phoenix.
“I wouldn’t be able to forecast the future,” Payton said shortly after the free agency signing period opened in March. He noted that he was keeping up with Bryant’s progress but wouldn’t commit as to whether Bryant would get another run in New Orleans. Given their lack of action in addressing the wide receiver position through free agency and las month’s draft, the Saints may in fact be happy with their group as it stands.
While Bryant’s arrival was full of fanfare, he suffered the injury in practice two days after he signed. The Saints were quick to sign veteran free agent Brandon Marshall as an option to take his place but cut Marshall after a few weeks of practice.
It’s possible that Bryant ends up getting another chance in New Orleans. He’s made several statements on social media hoping for exactly that, and clearly feels he has enough fuel in the tank to keep playing once he’s cleared to play. But barring an offseason injury or very poor training camp performance, it’s tough to see the Saints bringing him in for a reunion.
