Miles Austin, who has yet to play in a preseason game this year, is expected to miss the rest of the preseason with hamstring problems, according to the Cowboys’ official website. Hamstring problems tend to linger and Austin missed 6 games with hamstring problems last year and was limited by them in several others, leading to essentially a lost season for the talented wideout as he caught just 43 passes for 579 yards and 7 touchdowns. He’s no sure thing for week 1.
With Austin battling these hamstring problems and Jason Witten out indefinitely after rupturing his spleen, the Cowboys’ lack of depth in the receiving corps could be exposed. Backup tight end John Phillips, who would start in the absence of Witten has caught just 22 passes in his career, while the multitude of guys competing for positioning on the Cowboys depth chart behind the starters have combined for just 25 career catches, all of which were by Kevin Ogletree. The 2009 undrafted free agent, who struggled when counted on to start last season, is sadly the veteran of the group.
While all of these injuries are not good for the Cowboys’ offense as a whole, they probably will be good for Dez Bryant. Bryant, who is having a strong offseason on the field, could be due for a huge season in his 3rd year in the league, typically a breakout year for receivers. He’s the clear #1 option in one of the best passing attacks in the league. After catching 63 passes for 928 yards and 9 touchdowns last season, Bryant could have over 70 catches for 1100 yards and 10 touchdowns this year, if he stays healthy.
If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (no draft date set yet, currently standard, with the option to become PPR with group vote). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2
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