Cowboys WR Dez Bryant has lost his punt return duties due to poor production, poor decision-making and poor ball security. (US Presswire)

The Cowboys will likely have a new punt returner this week when they face the Falcons on Sunday night. Dez Bryant has handled the duties most of the season, but after being removed last week after a fumble against the Giants, the Cowboys will likely go with receiver Dwayne Harris.

Bryant, who has just a 5.5-yard average with a long of 44 yards in 12 punt returns this year, has been shaky for the last few weeks, with questionable decisions to either catch the ball inside the 10, or let it bounce with plenty of open-field room.

Bryant said he’s disappointed with the move, but vows to get the job back.

“I understand it. I don’t like it because I want to do it,” Bryant said of returning punts. “I’m going to continue to keep working at it. I just need to field it and stop looking upfield and think before catching the rock. I promise you, man, I’m going to get back in their ear. I think it will be hard for him to tell me, no.”

For now, Bryant’s main focus should be playing receiver against the Falcons. A hip injury that he sustained when he landed on the near-touchdown catch against the Giants last week has kept him out of practice.

Bryant said “oh, it’s there” in regards to the pain, but said he expects to play Sunday night.

Trust from Romo? While the Cowboys might have lost their faith in Bryant as a punt returner, his quarterback hasn’t wavered. Tony Romo, who leads the league with 13 interceptions --with many of those coming while attempting to throw to Bryant -- still supports his receiver.

“I trust Dez,” Romo said. “Each play is so important that we have to refine our skills and what we do to be very disciplined every time. He just needs to continue to grow and understand and work at the little details, and he is, it’s just a little bit of a process that goes through and I think you’re going to see a guy who’s going to get better and better and explode on the scene.”

Hurting at WR: It’s not just Bryant who is banged up for the Cowboys at receiver, but Kevin Ogletree (hamstring) hasn’t practiced for two days. And Dwayne Holmes had to leave practice with a neck injury. That left the Cowboys with three receivers on the 53-man roster -- Miles Austin, Cole Beasley and Andre Holmes. The club has receivers Danny Coale and Tim Benford on the practices squad, who have been trying to impersonate Falcons’ receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones this week on the scout team.

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