IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys might not have wide receiver Dez Bryant Sunday against the Carolina Panthers because of a groin strain.
Bryant did not participate in Friday's workout, but he was on the field during the portion of practice that was open to the media. He was on the injury report in Week 1 with a knee injury but played against the New York Giants and Friday was listed as questionable.
Sources indicate that Bryant has been dealing with general soreness for a little while and his absence Friday was not the result of something that happened in practice Thursday of Friday.
If Bryant cannot play, then the Cowboys would start Kevin Ogletree opposite Miles Austin.
Also on Friday, linebacker Anthony Spencer -- who has missed the last two games with a pectoral strain -- is questionable against Carolina but managed to practice for the third straight day on a limited basis. As expected, running back DeMarco Murray is out with a foot injury suffered last week at Baltimore and will be replaced by Felix Jones.
Bryant's injury comes at a time when he was playing the best football of his young career -- 21 catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns in the last two games. He has yet to play a full season, missing four games as a rookie in 2010 because of a broken ankle and one game last year with a thigh bruise that limited him for weeks.
Bryant's absence or limitation would also affect the punt return game. The Cowboys would hand those duties off to either Lance Dunbar or Dwayne Harris.
Ogletree has started two games in his career. He's caught nine passes for 107 yards in the last four games after catching eight for 114 yards and two touchdowns in the season-opening win at the Giants on Sept. 5.
Austin, who has 20 catches for 331 yards and three touchdowns so far this season, has been hampered by a nagging hamstring injury.
"I think he's getting healthier and healthier as the season has gone on and he just has to keep battling and be productive regardless of how you feel," coach Jason Garrett said. "Nobody feels great at any time during the season once you get going."