Dez Bryant believes Odell Beckham will play in season opener

Reports have Odell Beckham as 50/50 to play in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys because of an ankle injury, but Cowboys wideout Dez Bryant believes the odds are much better than that.

Bryant spoke to the New York Giants receiver on the phone this week and got the sense Beckham will be out there.

"We just talked about what we always do, nothing that has to do with football, just buddy stuff," Bryant told Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. "I'm pretty sure he's going to play."

Bryant was then asked why and offered a simple response.

"Because he's the heart and soul of that squad," Bryant said.

Sunday night's contest has become somewhat of a tradition for fans of both teams, as it will mark the third straight year the Giants and Cowboys have met in Week 1 and the fifth time in the past six seasons.

The NFL's choice of schedule is adding more fuel to one of the league's best rivalries. In 2016 the Cowboys marched to a 13-3 record, but two of those losses came against the G-Men.

"Those games don't matter anymore," Bryant said. "It's a new season."

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