Dez Bryant said he has forgiven Jeff Ireland and didn't need the handshake the Miami Dolphins general manager offered to put it in the past.
“It’s not a problem,” Bryant said.
Ireland called over Bryant during special teams drills about an hour before the game. Ireland extended his hand, and the two spoke briefly as Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones looked on.
“It went well,” Bryant said after the game. “We shook each other’s hand and hoped the best for each other, and that was it.”
During a predraft interview, Ireland asked Bryant if Bryant’s mother was a prostitute. Ireland apologized after the question became public knowledge.
The Miami Herald reported earlier this week that Ireland had hoped to bury any lingering hard feelings that Bryant may have had. Ireland patted Bryant on the arm during their conversation on the Cowboys’ sideline and tapped him on the chest as he left.
Bryant, who returned to practice this week after spraining his right ankle July 30, did not play Thursday though he did dress out. He caught passes from Tony Romo early in pregame warmups.
“It felt great [to be on the field],” Bryant said. “I couldn’t believe it. When I was out there, I felt like I was getting ready to play. I had to calm myself down and just keep myself calm, because I was ready to go.”
He will make his debut Sept. 12 against the Redskins.
"I'm just ready to explode and get back on the field," Bryant said. "Me missing these games and not playing tonight makes me feel like I'm ready to go."
-- Charean Williams
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