Dallas Cowboys: Is Dez Bryant not returning punts a mistake?

After Dez Bryant reportedly asked the Dallas Cowboys to use him as a punt returner again, the question becomes why the team hasn’t done so since 2012

Some eyebrows were raised when Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant was back fielding punts during organized team activities. It’s not his normal job, and in fact he hasn’t returned a punt since 2012.

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That won’t stop him from getting back there and making sure he still feels comfortable doing so in practice. It also won’t stop him from asking the team — specifically special teams coach Rich Bisaccia — to let him do it in live game action according to Dallas Sports Day’s Jon Machota:

"“I’m always in Coach [Rich] Bisaccia’s ear,” Bryant said. “That’s why I’m back there practicing. I’m going to get me one of them, I’m telling you. I’m going to crib it. I’m telling you I’m going to score.”"

Machota pointed out that Bryant was pretty electric as a return man, scoring twice as a rookie in 2010. His first ever touchdown for the team even came via a punt return, and Machota tweeted out the play to go along with the discussion on Bryant’s desire.

For the Cowboys, it makes little sense why they won’t let him. Sure, many will point to trying to avoid injury, but the team they have built now can withstand losing Dez — as evidenced by them doing just fine when he missed time in 2016.

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What they can’t stand to do is play too safely. Bryant is a weapon fielding punts, which can’t be said about anyone else who has tried the job since Bryant last returned them other than Dwayne Harris, who is no longer with the team.

For Bryant, it also has to be frustrating. Other star receivers like Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver DeSean Jackson (who also has injury issues) and Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown have been regular return men. They’re able to not only have great resumes for their play as wideouts, but they also have been fantastic punt returners that are able to affect the game in multiple ways.

As it stands now, Dallas has been putting weaker players back to return punts in an effort to afford injuries — an impossible task in professional football.

Another reason they may not want Bryant to return punts is the addition of rookie Ryan Switzer. If that’s the real reason, great. However, they should let the two both get a crack at it, and have the best possible option back there. Playing not to get hurt is no way to win games, and usually leads to players getting hurt more often.

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Bryant is a weapon with the ball in his hands and the Boys need to do all they can to get it to him as much as possible rather than rolling him up in bubble wrap and hoping he makes it through the year unhurt.