Dez Bryant appears on practice field for first time since surgery

— -- IRVING, Texas -- As Dez Bryant walked on the practice field Thursday, one of his linebacker teammates yelled hello, prompting a wave back from the wide receiver.

It was Bryant's first appearance on the practice field since undergoing surgery to repair a broken right foot. He was in a helmet, shoulder pads and shorts as he went through resistance training with associate athletic trainer Britt Brown during the portion of practice open to the media.

Bryant shuffled, backpedaled and did some striders.

The Cowboys have maintained a four-to-six week recovery period for Bryant, who had surgery on Sept. 14 and has missed Dallas' last four games.

Coach Jason Garrett said Monday that Bryant would have to practice in order to play Oct. 25 against the New York Giants. The Cowboys have gone 1-3 in Bryant's absence.

As Bryant walked through the locker room Thursday, he made no guarantees about being able to play against the Giants.

"I'm just trying to get my foot right," Bryant said.

Bryant's recovery has gone as planned as he has moved on from light running two weeks ago to on-field rehab this week. Last week, Bryant had a procedure that took stem cells from his hip and injected them into his foot to make the healing process "sounder," according to owner and general manager Jerry Jones.

"He has made a lot of progress," Garrett said Wednesday. "He is moving around. I think he feels good."

Wide receiver Terrance Williams said he does not try to ask Bryant too many questions about his rehab, but he knows Bryant is anxious to return.

"The times I do talk to him when he's here and the times he texts me at night we just talk about football and he brings up all that stuff and he's just somebody that you can just talk to and you can share your thoughts and he can share his," Williams said. "It's kind of like ... this guy, like he can't wait to get back to play. I think whenever he does come back, he'll bring a spark."