Chip Kelly, Eagles glad they’re not facing Dez Bryant in Cowboys game Sunday

The Eagles had a few instances of bad luck in their tight loss to the Falcons Monday night.

But as they continue to gameplan for their Week 2 opponent, there is a little luck on their side. They’ll face Big D sans their best wide receiver, Dez Bryant.

“He’s a hell of a player,” former Bryant teammate DeMarco Murray said.”They have a lot of weapons on that side of the ball and they’ll find ways to get the guys the ball. They have a pretty good QB there, a tight end, a couple receivers they will be fine.”

Murray isn’t wrong. Dallas may be without the three-time 1,200+ yard receiver (who also had 16 touchdowns in 2014), but they still have Tony Romo. And Jason Witten. More than enough to challenge the Eagles’ defense.

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“It’s not just, Dez is out and another receiver comes in,” Chip Kelly said, explaining that Bryant’s absence creates a large unknown as they prepare defensively.”They don’t have to do that. They can move [Cole] Beasley outside, they can play with TerrenceWilliams and two tight ends….”

So would Kelly prefer to prepare for Bryant, or for an offense that could surprise him and his coaching staff with their Dez-less formations?

“He’s really good,” Kelly said.”Put a little but more on the coaches and a little less covering Dez, I think we’ll take that.”

It’s a relief for Byron Maxwell and the Eagles shaky secondary — a unit that allowed Atlanta’s stud pass-catcher Julio Jonesto compile 141yards and two touchdowns in Monday’s 26-24 setback.

Dallas will also be without one of their top defenders Sunday (in addition to the suspended Greg Hardy), as Orlando Scandrickis expected to miss the entire season with a torn ACL.

“I think they have a really good secondary,” Jordan Matthews said. “It’s really unfortunate about Scandrick. He went down with that season ending injury and if you want able the beat the best you have to go up against the best.

“The rest of those guys they can go out and play,” he continued.”[Brandon]Carr is good on theoutside and [Morris]Claiborne has an opportunity with Scandrick out, [Tyler]Patmon is good. I think it will be a good challenge for us but I think we’re ready for it.”