IRVING, Texas -- Dez Bryant needed a wheelchair to exit FedEx Field the last time the Dallas Cowboys faced Washington.
Bryant, who injured his back during that 28-18 Week 17 loss in December, said Wednesday that he didn't know at the time if he had suffered a long-term injury.
"I didn't know how it was going to come out," Bryant said. "I think not only me but [head athletic trainer Jim Maurer] and [associate athletic trainer Britt Brown] they did a good job of bringing me back … because it was serious. It was very painful. It's no longer an issue now."
Bryant said he doesn't think about that game any more, but he said it was on his mind throughout the off-season, mainly because he exited early in the fourth quarter and wasn't able to help his team rally at the end of the win-or-go-home game.
"It was hard," Bryant said. "I love football. It was heartbreaking. Just because not being able to finish the game and just thinking about all of the what-ifs, if I would've stayed in the game and all that kind of stuff. I kind of felt like there was nothing I could do about it because of my back. I kind of also felt like I didn't do my part. It kind of wore off me getting closer to the season."
Bryant finished with four catches for 71 yards.
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