Dez Bryant will make the decision whether or not to have season-ending surgery, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday. The receiver has a fractured left index finger that could require surgery.
"Dez will be the ultimate decision-maker as to whether or not he wants to continue to try to play with a lot of protection or whether he should have surgery," Jones said during his weekly radio show on KRLD 105.3 FM via the Star-Telegram. "The reason for the surgery is because you could have life-lasting stiffness there."
Bryant hurt the finger in the fourth quarter against the Bengals on Sunday. The Cowboys are still evaluating medical reports, Jones said. He saw a hand specialist Monday, DallasCowboys.com's Nick Eatman reported. Bryant wants to play through the injury, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.
Bryant adds a physcial playmaking ability to the Cowboys offense that can't be replicated by anyone on the roster. And he was in the midst of his best stretch as a professional with at least one touchdown in the last five games. The Cowboys need Bryant as they make a playoff push during the final three weeks. He is tied for No. 2 in the league with nine receiving touchdowns and has a career-high 75 receptions for a career-high 1,028 yards. Miles Austin would be the No. 1 receiver without Bryant.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.