Dallas Cowboys: 5 ways Dez Bryant’s injury affects offense

1. Who will be the “emotional leader?”

Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) hugs wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) prior to their game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Losing Bryant’s football talent is one thing, but the Cowboys really need the overall emotional leadership that Bryant brings to the field each and every week. Sure, maybe sometimes it does a little harm in terms of him being a tad overemotional at times, but you know that it is more positive than anything because you just know he wants to be there, and at that moment, there is nothing else more important to him.

Bryant’s vocal leadership on the field might, no, will be missed, because there really isn’t an overall vocal leader on the offense who can replace that part of Bryant’s game at all.

Nothing against the rest, that is just their personalities, and that is one of the main roles Bryant plays on this team. Hopefully his vocal leadership aspects can be given on the sideline. It is just a shame he was injured in the first game of the season, and the Cowboys’ offense and Bryant will have to alter their plans for the next few weeks.

Brandon George of DallasNews.com wrote this on the Bryant situation following the news of Bryant’s injury:

"“Bryant is expected to have surgery early this week and, at best, will probably miss the next four games against Philadelphia, Atlanta, New Orleans and New England. … Bryant is always pushing to get on the field, but the Cowboys will want to be cautious with their Pro Bowl receiver. They won’t rush him back with the risk of losing him long-term.”"

It will be be interesting to see if anyone can step into the leadership role of Bryant the next few weeks.

Next: The offense will have a different look