Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant suffered a broken fifth metatarsal of his right foot last Sunday in the win over the New York Giants, and almost immediately underwent surgery a day later as part as an aggressive plan to return as quickly as possible. 

Dez Bryant's foot injury has been the center of speculation from reporters and doctors across the nation trying to pinpoint an exact return date for the Cowboy's elite wide receiver. It's easy to see why, Bryant's health and return back onto the field may dictate how far the Super Bowl hopeful Dallas Cowboys will go this season.

According to NFL network's Ian Rapport, sources say that Bryant's recovery timeframe has changed from what was initially a 4-to-6 week timeframe to a 10-to-12 week timeframe. There are several respectable doctors that think the same and that the Cowboys are being too optimistic with a 6-to-8 week time slot. Atlanta Falcons receiver Roddy White is on record stating that current teammate Julio Jones had to take off almost an entire regular season as he recovered from a Jones fracture in his foot. 

The problem with all these speculations is that none of them are coming from within the Cowboys organization. Their tune has not changed from pre or post surgery and are still optimistic that Bryant can return within eight weeks. The Cowboys not placing him on the short term IR is an indication of Dallas' hopes that Bryant will be back in under eight weeks. Being placed on the short-term IR would have automatically ruled out the wide receiver for at least eight games. Now that doesn't mean that the Cowboys are right in their optimism but they stand firm with their belief on Bryant's injury.

Dallas Cowboys insider Mike Fisher reports from within the Cowboys locker room that team doctors are still singing the tune that Bryant's recovery could be as soon as six weeks. That could mean a return as early as Week 7 in a rematch against the New York Giants in the Meadowlands following their bye week.

Mike Fisher also reported that besides a screw bring inserted into Bryant's foot, a bone graft was also placed which promotes an aggressive approach. The screw stabilizes the break while the graft melds them together. It's an aggressive insurance policy with a timetable hope of eight weeks or less unchanged

The last 25 NFL players with a Dez Bryant like surgery returned from 5.9 weeks to 13.9 weeks, a return average of 8.7 weeks. It's important to note that every player heals differently and it's almost impossible to dictate how Bryant will heal from this foot injury.

Right or wrong, the Dallas Cowboys believe Dez Bryant will be back in 6-to-8 weeks, but only time will tell.