Former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant has moved one step closer to playing in the NFL again.
The 31-year-old Bryant signed with the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday and was assigned to the practice squad.
Bryant last played in 2017, when he had 69 catches for 838 yards in his eighth and final season in Dallas. He signed with New Orleans in November 2018 but tore his Achilles tendon before getting into a game.
Now he is on the cusp of getting back on the field.
Bryant said on Twitter: “My emotions running high right now… I’m thankful…I can’t stop crying.”
If he has retained his speed and is not too rusty, Bryant could add a much-needed deep threat to a Baltimore passing attack that ranks 31st in yards per game. Second-year receiver Marquis Brown is quarterback Lamar Jackson’s most prominent target for the long ball.
Drafted 24th overall by Dallas in 2010, Bryant was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2013, ’14 and ’16. He has 531 catches for 7,459 yards and 73 touchdowns.
After scoring a career-high 16 TDs in 2014, Bryant endured two straight injury-shortened seasons before playing in 16 games in 2017.
He put up impressive numbers with Dallas but was sometimes perceived as a distraction because of his outbursts on the sideline during games and in the locker room. He was released by the Cowboys in April 2018.
Ravens tight end Mark Andrews was asked Monday what the addition of Bryant could mean for the team. His reply: “That would be cool. He’s been around the league for a long, long time. I’m excited to meet him, get around him hopefully. Just learn everything you can from a guy like that because they’ve done it and they’ve been there. It’s super exciting for me.”
Baltimore waived safety Marcus Gilchrist from the practice squad to make room for Bryant.
