Dez Bryant inactive vs Bengals

Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver Dez Bryant will be inactive on Sunday versus the Cincinnati Bengals. He is still dealing with a knee injury.

The Dallas Cowboys will face their toughest 2016 opponent to date when they host the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET. Unfortunately, the Cowboys will have to go without star wide receiver Dez Bryant.

Bryant has been listed as inactive for the Cowboys’ game against the Bengals. This is the second straight game that Bryant will miss because of a knee injury suffered in Week 3’s win over the Chicago Bears.

Cowboys WR Dez Bryant inactive for this afternoon’s game vs. Bengals pic.twitter.com/cfEXx8EGTy

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 9, 2016

This is bad news for the Cowboys and especially their rookie starting quarterback Dak Prescott. Bryant had been the biggest advocate of Prescott in the Dallas offense this season. Without Bryant, Prescott will have not over-the-top target against a strong Bengals defense.

The Bengals will be getting back linebacker Vontaze Burfict, meaning that it will be more difficult for Prescott to have those short passes he likes so much in the flat. Prescott may look to continuously target slot receiver Cole Beasley or tight end Jason Witten in Bryant’s absence.

However, the passing lanes may tight for Prescott with Bryant available to stretch the Bengals defense. If Dallas is going to beat Cincinnati in Week 5, Prescott will have to make plays downfield in the passing game. Dallas can choose to pound the rock with rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott, but that will only work if the Cowboys have a lead.

The Cowboys were able to overcome not having Bryant available in Week 4, but that was because they were playing the lowly San Francisco 49ers. If the Cowboys are able to beat the Bengals, Prescott will deserve a ton of credit, especially without Bryant.