Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant sustains concussion during practice

Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant will miss the next preseason game after sustaining a concussion in practice.

Coach Jason Garrett said that Bryant was hurt Monday when the receiver’s head hit the shoulder pads of safety Barry Church. Garrett said Bryant was held out of the rest of that practice and will not play Thursday night at Seattle.

On his Twitter account Tuesday, Bryant promised Cowboys fans that he is OK.

Garrett said Bryant seemed “much better” Tuesday, and the coach doesn’t think there is a long-term concern.

Bryant, a 2014 All-Pro, was limited to career lows in catches, yards and touchdowns last season after breaking his right foot in the opener.

Brady will play despite injured thumb

Quarterback Tom Brady is ready to play after cutting his right thumb with scissors in a “silly accident” before the New England Patriots’ preseason game against the Chicago Bears last week. Brady said he missed the first two practices this week for personal reasons, but that he’s available and ready to play when New England visits Carolina on Friday.

Brady, 39, has yet to appear in a game this preseason. He’s got two more games before the start of an NFL-issued four-game regular-season suspension for his role in “Deflategate.”

Brady said the accident with the scissors occurred when he was trying to get something out of his cleat. The scissors slipped and cut his thumb, causing him to “let out probably a pretty loud word I wouldn’t repeat in front of my kids.”

Etc.

Linebacker Vince Williams signed a three-year contract with the Steelers that will keep him in Pittsburgh through the 2018 season. … Tight end Craig Stevens, who has spent his entire eight-year career with the Tennessee Titans, is retiring at the age of 31. … Buffalo Bills receiver Marquise Goodwin is being evaluated for a possible concussion sustained during practice on Tuesday. Coach Rex Ryan would only say the player was placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol, which makes it unlikely Goodwin will play in Buffalo’s preseason game at Washington on Friday.