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FRISCO -- A day that began with many questions surrounding Dez Bryant's injured right knee ended with some answers, but plenty of uncertainty.

Bryant has a hairline fracture, coach Jason Garrett revealed Wednesday. The fracture is in the tibial plateau on the lateral side where the bone meets the knee, a source said.

Although Bryant hasn't been ruled out for Sunday, it appears unlikely that he will be able to play. There's no exact timetable for his return. He could miss one week or the next three.

During his Wednesday morning news conference, Garrett said only that Bryant would not practice. Garrett said the team was still in the process of evaluating the knee, which the star receiver injured on the second play from scrimmage in Sunday's 31-17 victory over Chicago.

Could Dez Bryant play Sunday? Garrett: "We just got to see how he does today and going forward...He doesn't feel good enough to practice." — Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 28, 2016

Garrett then broke the news in a post-practice conference call with reporters who cover the 49ers. An MRI exam Wednesday morning had revealed the fracture.

While that was taking place, Bryant was talking to his teammates in the weight room. He walked with a slight limp and his right knee was heavily wrapped.

While walking from the weight room to the locker room, Bryant appeared to be in good spirits. When asked if he would play Sunday, Bryant smiled and responded: "I might. I might."

The open locker room period ended with Garrett meeting with local reporters to give the latest information on Bryant's knee.

"He has a slight hairline fracture in one of the bones of his knee," Garrett said. "What I've been told is it's a day-to-day, week-to-week injury. We've had players with this kind of injury who missed no time in the past, and other players who have missed up to a week or two, or more than that.

"We'll take it day by day and we'll see how he does when he comes in tomorrow."

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said after Sunday night's game that X-rays revealed Bryant had a sprained knee and he would have an MRI on Monday.

So why the wait until Wednesday?

"I don't want to get into the whole medical procedure," Garrett said. "We have the information now."

Dez Bryant options.

Best case scenario: Plays Sunday.

Worst case scenario: returns to play Philadelphia after bye on Oct. 30. — David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) September 28, 2016

On Sunday, after suffering the injury, Bryant spent time on the sideline with team doctors and athletic trainers. He had his knee wrapped before returning to the game. He ended up playing 52 of the team's 68 offensive snaps.

Bryant, who never appeared to be favoring his right knee, caught a 17-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

If Bryant is unable to play Sunday, Brice Butler would step into the starting lineup. The Cowboys traded for Butler last season after Bryant broke his right foot in the season opener.

Butler dealt with hamstring injuries last season, but he caught 12 passes for 258 yards. Butler has only one reception for 16 yards this season.

"I'm ready," Butler said. "That's all I got to say. I can't speak for him. I hope he gets back quickly. I'll hold it down for him while he's gone. I believe that I can be a starter here and this is my opportunity to showcase that."

Foot, ankle and knee issues forced Bryant to miss seven games last season. The Cowboys went 1-6 without him. They finished the 2015 season 4-12 largely because they were without a healthy Bryant and Tony Romo for nearly the entire season.

Even more precise info on Dez Bryant injury after talking to several people: hairline fracture of tibial plateau. Lateral. Sunday a longshot — David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) September 28, 2016

If they are without those two Sunday, why should better results be expected?

"If everybody worries about their job, we'll be all right," wide receiver Cole Beasley said. "These guys are doing a good job of not blinking when stuff happens.

"We did a good job when Romo went down. I don't expect these guys to do anything different."

Center Travis Frederick added: "There's a different sense or a different feeling in the locker room. And confidence might be it. It might be camaraderie. It might be team chemistry.

"We're starting to get things rolling a little bit, and so when that happens it makes it a little bit easier when you have pieces moving in and out."

Staff writer David Moore contributed to this report.

Dez Bryant injury history

2010

Injury: Fractured his right ankle on a kickoff return against the Colts in Week 13, causing him to miss the rest of the season. Games missed: Four

2011

Injury: Suffered a bruised quadriceps while returning a punt in the season opener, causing him to miss Week 2 in San Francisco. Games missed: One

2012

Injury: Broke his left index finger, but elected to play through the injury and have offseason surgery. Games missed: None

2015

Injuries: He broke his right foot in the season opener and had surgery, causing him to miss five games. Bryant returned in Week 8 but was never fully healthy the rest of the season. He injured a knee while making a leaping touchdown catch in Week 9. Bryant was placed on injured reserve for the final week of the season. He had foot and ankle surgery a week later. Games missed: seven.

Twitter: @jonmachota

More Dez Bryant injury coverage

Sources: Bryant missed team meetings and MRI on Tuesday and has been fined

Doctor gives lowdown on Dez's knee injury

Gosselin: By going AWOL after injury, Dez Bryant hurt the rest of the Cowboys, too

Sturm: How Dak Prescott's approach will change with Bryant out

A look at the understudy, Terrance Williams

If Bryant is sidelined from fracture, which Cowboys receivers will step up?