Sports

Cowboys trusting Bryant to make call on playing with broken finger, and he's still producing

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) celebrates his touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers with Lawrence Vickers (47) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) (The Associated Press)

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) celebrates his touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers with Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) (The Associated Press)

The Dallas Cowboys couldn't trust receiver Dez Bryant to even run the right routes less than two months ago.

Now they're letting him dictate whether he plays with a broken left index finger. He's insisting on waiting until after the season for surgery.

Bryant broke the finger on a catch against Cincinnati two weeks ago. He scored a critical touchdown in the 20-19 win after the injury and made it clear early last week that he would play against Pittsburgh.

Bryant looked like a decoy early against the Steelers but still extended his touchdown streak to six games in a 27-24 overtime victory.

The Cowboys (8-6) host New Orleans (6-8) on Sunday with their playoff fate in their hands.