Dallas Cowboys' star wideout Dez Bryant is going to be sidelined from four to six weeks following surgery on Tuesday to repair a broken bone in his foot.
The 26-year-old two-time Pro Bowler injured his right foot during the third quarter of their improbable 27-26 season opening victory over the New York Giants at home last Sunday.
Bryant is widely considered as quarterback Tony Romo's favorite and best pass catcher, and his absence reportedly has the "potential to cripple" the 2014 NFC East Division champions' offense, according to the New York Post.
Truly, Bryant's injury will affect the Cowboys in so many ways not just on the field but off it as well. Here are just three ways how:
1. Dallas will miss their emotional leader. The former Oklahoma State standout is one of the most vocal players for the Cowboys on the field and in the locker room and his intensity and enthusiasm rubs off to his teammates every game day.
Romo is the designated team leader, of course, but only Bryant has managed to noticeably and effectively show that passion to win all the time.
2. Terrance Williams will be given the opportunity to step up. ESPN's Jean-Jacques Taylor noted that the third-year wide receiver needs to prove to himself that he can "thrive" on the field even without Bryant.
Williams is one of Bryant's apprentices, so to speak, and he even admitted that he draws mental and emotional strength from him during games.
Now is the perfect time for Williams to man up and show head coach Jason Garrett and Romo that he can get it done all by himself.
3. Tony Romo will be forced to be more consistent. Not that he isn't already, but without his top pass target, the 35-year-old signal caller will have less window to make mistakes to be able to keep the Cowboys afloat for about a month or a month and a half.
Romo is arguably one of the top five or ten quarterbacks in the league right now and he will be forced to further improve his game to compensate. Overall, it would be to Dallas' advantage when that happens.