Jason Garrett has said that Dez Bryant's determination to play through injury lifted the whole Dallas Cowboys team.

The wide receiver was told he may need surgery to repair a fractured finger, but said that the injury would not stop him playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday.

The head coach told the Cowboys' website: "Dez was very emotional early in the week about, 'I am playing in this game' and I think when you are a football player and you see a guy be so unequivocal about that and say, 'I'm doing it,' regardless of what the heck this thing is, 'I'm playing, I need to play,' I think it has a real positive impact on your football team.

"I think that is a real tribute to his toughness, first and foremost as a human being, and his passion for playing and passion for this football team."

The 24-year-old scored a touchdown in the Cowboys' win over the Steelers.