After two and a half seasons out of soccer, former Dallas Cowboys broad receiver Dez Bryant is inching nearer to a return. The Baltimore Ravens plan to signal Bryant to their apply squad so long as Bryant’s exercise with the staff goes effectively, in line with Ian Rapoport of NFL Community.

It’s not the primary time the Ravens have proven curiosity in Bryant. The staff introduced Bryant in for a exercise in August.

Dez Bryant hasn’t performed in an NFL recreation since 2017. (Photograph by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Photos for Roc Nation)

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Bryant, 31, hasn’t performed within the NFL since 2017. That season, he gained 838 yards and scored six touchdowns with the Cowboys. Bryant went unsigned within the offseason, however signed with the New Orleans Saints that November. Bryant tore his Achilles in his second apply with the staff. A 12 months after struggling that harm, Bryant stated he was able to make a comeback.

The place does Dez Bryant match with the Ravens?

If the Ravens promote Bryant to their 53-man roster, he might get an opportunity to show he nonetheless has one thing left within the tank. Marquise Brown is the staff’s solely established starter at broad receiver. The staff has used Miles Boykin, Devin Duvernay and Willie Snead as secondary choices, however none of them see as many snaps as Brown.

That opens a door for Bryant. If he can nonetheless make contested catches, it’s doable Bryant will carve out a task within the Ravens’ offense. With Brown able to burning defenses deep, the Ravens might use somebody to make quick, robust catches to maneuver the chains beneath. That was one in every of Bryant’s strengths with the Cowboys. He might additionally give the staff one other stable pink zone goal, one other space by which Bryant excelled in Dallas.

All of that can depend upon whether or not the Ravens imagine Bryant can nonetheless play. Signing him to the apply squad could be a superb indication the Ravens assume Bryant can contribute.

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