FRISCO - Dez Bryant was not with the rest of the Dallas Cowboys on the training field during Thursday's noon press access.
Head coach Jason Garrett did not mention in his press conference that he expected Bryant's absence from practice, as he did with receiver Cole Beasley and running back Rod Smith, who are ill.
According to the official injury report the Cowboys sent to the NFL on Thursday afternoon, Bryant did not practice due to a knee injury, which neither he nor Coach Garrett mentioned before.
Bryant said on Wednesday that he has been suffering from tendinitis since November, but there was no official information from the Cowboys about Bryant's absence until the end of practice.
The Cowboys' wide receiver unexpectedly called the press on Wednesday to express his frustration for nearly 16 minutes about the season he's had, in which he has yet to surpass 100 yards in a game, in addition to dropping a ball and failing to catch another one that hit his hands and resulted in an interception in Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
"People who watch the game film know that I'm doing my job," Bryant said on Wednesday. "Defensive players respect me because they know I'm a great player."
Garrett said in his morning press conference on Thursday that frustrations and complaints should "stay in-house."
"You try to minimize any frustration that can happen day to day and week to week," Garrett commented before practice. "It's something we try to handle the best we can as a coaching staff."
"The guys want to play, practice, do things, and be part of something special," he added. "Sometimes, not achieving it can be frustrating."
Left tackle Tyron Smith also did not practice due to his knee issues and is unlikely to play this Sunday in the season finale against the Eagles in Philadelphia.
Right tackle La'El Collins and linebacker Anthony Hitchens returned to practice despite their respective back and knee injuries.