MRI confirms torn Achilles tendon for New Orleans Saints catcher, Dez Bryant



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An MRI confirmed that the receiver Dez Bryant had been torn by an Achilles and was facing an expected recovery after eight months, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter Saturday.

Two days after signing with the New Orleans Saints, Bryant was injured in Friday's final practice match, a source told Schefter after it was reported for the first time. by NFL Network.

The recovery schedule puts Bryant on the road to being potentially ready for next year's training camp, when he will be a free agent again.

Bryant acknowledged a setback in a tweet Friday afternoon, writing: "It's the ultimate test".

He was officially put in reserve by the saints on Saturday. In a related move, the Saints activated untrained receiver Keith Kirkwood from their training squad for extra depth on Sunday.

Bryant, who turned 30 last Sunday, was no longer part of a team since being released by the Dallas Cowboys in April. He practiced for the first time Thursday.

The Saints could turn to another decorated veteran catcher, Brandon Marshall, who also impressed the team during a Tuesday training session, according to Schefter. The Saints also auditioned veteran receiver Kamar Aiken on Tuesday before choosing to sign Bryant.

With Michael Thomas and rookie Tre & # 39; Quan Smith as their two best receivers, the Saints will certainly look to add depth to the post next week after placing Cameron Meredith on injured reserve Wednesday and Ted Ginn Jr. on IR's last month.

A number of Saints players sent their support to Bryant on Twitter on Friday.

For Bryant, the injury continues a tumultuous year that began with a complicated divorce in Dallas. The triple Pro Bowler was released in April while he was earning $ 12.5 million.

Bryant, who is 6 feet 2 inches and 220 pounds, was among the best in the NFL at its peak. He has recorded three consecutive seasons of at least 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns from 2012 to 2014 and was invited to the Pro Bowl in 2013, 2014 and 2016.

However, his production had slipped in recent years as he struggled with foot and knee injuries; He had 69 passes for 838 yards and 6 touchdowns in 16 games last year. The Cowboys were finally ready to switch from what Executive Vice President Stephen Jones described as a "fiery" personality that could sometimes be a "distraction".

Bryant has signed a pro rata contract that will earn him $ 600,000. He could have won up to $ 500,000 in bonuses to reach specific reception totals: $ 50,000 for capturing 25 passes in the Saints' last seven games after Sunday, $ 100,000 for 30 more, 150,000 $ 35 for catches and $ 200,000 for 40 receptions.

Mike Triplett of ESPN contributed to this report.

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