Miles Austin not practicing today
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin (19) works against Oakland Raiders cornerback Mike Jenkins (21) during the first quarter in an preseason game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys No. 2 wide receiver Miles Austin suffered yet another hamstring injury, as he went down with an injury in Week 3 against the St. Louis Rams. The injury was described by Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett as not being serious, because Garrett added that Austin could have stayed in the game and would have stayed in the game if it was a close/important contest. By the time Austin went down with a hamstring issue, the game was well in hand for the Cowboys.
Miles Austin has had plenty of hamstring issues throughout his career, and that’s why the Cowboys have been so cautious with Austin. It’s also why Austin could very well miss the Cowboys Week 4 contest against the San Diego Chargers, and I wouldn’t expect Austin to play given his injury history. The last thing the Cowboys need is for Austin to aggravate his hamstring injury in Week 4, but I would definitely chalk him up as a game-time decision.
One thing pointing against Austin playing on Sunday? He didn’t practice yesterday, and the Dallas Morning News’s Brandon George reports that Miles Austin isn’t practicing today either. Fellow wide receiver Dwayne Harris, who would once again receive a significant uptick in snaps if Austin can’t play, is also dealing with an injury and was seen “without a helmet, working on the side.” If Austin cannot play, then Baylor Bears rookie receiver Terrance Williams will get the start, and that’s going to trade a consistent target for Tony Romo to throw it to into an inconsistent deep threat in Williams. However, Williams has looked a lot better after an awful game to start the season, and he could cause some huge problems for the Chargers pass defense.
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