Cowboys expect Bryant to play Sunday

Dallas Cowboys officials told ESPN Dallas on Saturday that they expect wide receiver Dez Bryant to play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers even though he has a fractured left index finger.

Bryant was injured in the fourth quarter of last week's win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Bryant will reportedly wear a taped-up splint. He was listed on the team's injury report as questionable on Friday.

After meeting with doctors earlier in the week, Bryant was told he needs to have surgery and that re-injuring the finger could cause long-term damage.

Bryant said during the week that he would put off surgery to help the team push toward the playoffs.

"It is a mental thing," Bryant said Friday. "I felt like if I go out there and am worrying about my finger, about catching the football, there is no need for me to be out there. I went out (Friday) in practice as if there wasn't anything wrong with my finger. I feel like that's my mindset about it."

Bryant is 10th in the NFL with 1,028 receiving yards and tied for third with nine receiving touchdowns.