Dez Bryant expresses regret: 'Things could've been done a lot different'

FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant expressed regret at how he handled his absence from the team after hurting his right knee in a win Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

"Things could've been done a lot different," Bryant said. "I could've done a way better job on my part. It was more so on really not wanting to see what was going on with my injury. Luckily, it was way better than what I thought and everything is good. And I'm just ready to get back on that field whenever that time is."

Bryant missed treatment and MRI appointment on Monday, plus team meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday after not communicating with the team. Coach Jason Garrett said there would be "repercussions" but called Bryant's absence, "well intended" because of the receiver's passion.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Friday that initial X-rays after the game showed a potential fracture. Bryant did not undergo an MRI until Wednesday to confirm the information and was diagnosed with a tibial plateau fracture in his right leg.

Bryant did not practice this week but in his Friday morning press conference Garrett would not rule Bryant out Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. The receiver is listed as questionable on the official injury report, but a source told ESPN Insider Adam Schefter on Thursday that Bryant is not expected to play.

Bryant walked without a limp Friday. On Wednesday he was wearing a wrap on his knee.

Bryant reiterated Garrett's day-to-day proclamation but said, "we want to be safe."

"I feel good. It's getting better each and every day and we're just going to go from there," Bryant said. "We've got a helluva football team. Everybody's mind is right. The mentality we've been building since this offseason is tremendous and I feel like any guy that steps in there if anyone goes down, can step up and do the job. That's something we've built around here and we've got good things going on. We're just going to keep that rolling."