Dez Bryant reportedly suffered a torn Achilles tendon during his second practice with the New Orleans Saints on Friday and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2018 season.
Dez Bryant was helped off the field at #Saints practice today after suffering what the team fears may be a torn Achilles, sources tell me and @RapSheet. He’s getting an MRI now.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 9, 2018
Bryant, who signed with New Orleans on Wednesday, was helped off the field and underwent an MRI after experiencing the injury, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
The former Pro Bowl wide receiver is expected to get a second opinion on the injury his MRI, according to Rapoport.
Bryant agreed to a one-year deal with the Saints and appeared in practice for the first time with his new team on Thursday.
The veteran's injury reportedly occured during a routine route, sources confirmed to NFL Network's Jane Slater.
Sources informed tell me Dez Bryant was coming out of a routine route when it happened. This is sickening for a guy who waited so long for the right fit https://t.co/Pb2tKVdBP0
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) November 9, 2018
Bryant, who had previously spent his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys, remained unsigned after being released by the franchise in April.
The former No. 24 overall pick had reportedly previous spurned declined offers from the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns this offseason and joined the Saints this week after missing the first two months of the 2018 regular season.
"For one, who wouldn't want to play with Drew Brees?" Bryant told reporters this week. "Not taking away from nobody else, but a guy like Drew Brees. Like I said, you got a guy like Michael Thomas, [Benjamin ] Watson, Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram -- you got those types of guys -- little baby GOATs around here."
The 30-year-old hasn't appeared in an NFL game since recording three receptions for 24 yards in Dallas' final game of the 2017 regular season against the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 31.
Bryant wasn't expected to play in Sunday's game against the Bengals even if he was healthy, according to NFL.com. New Orleans reportedly planned on having him sit out this week and then possibly make his debut in Week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles prior to his injury.
Bryant would have also had a shot at getting revenge on the Cowboys in an upcoming Week 13 matchup on Nov. 29 at AT&T Stadium
Bryant spent the majority of his career as Dallas' primary receiver, but hasn't surpassed 900 yards since agreeing to a contract extension in 2015 -- which followed his first team All-Pro appearance in 2014, which included leading the league in touchdown receptions.
The three-time Pro Bowler currently has 531 receptions for 7,459 yards and 73 touchdowns during his seven-year NFL career.
Newsweek will have more on this story as it develops.
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