Miles Austin trying to strengthen hamstrings to avoid injury

Dec 16, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Miles Austin (19) runs after a catch against Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) and safety Robert Golden (21) at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

When Miles Austin had a break out season for the Dallas Cowboys years ago, the Cowboys were rejoiced to have found their wide receiver of the future. However since that break out season, which saw him set a single game receiving record, he hasn’t lived up to the lofty contract Jerry Jones threw at him.

He’s specifically been battling injuries and struggled to stay on the field missing time in the last two seasons due to hamstring issues. But Austin is determined to make that a thing of the past and has spend his offseason trying to prevent future setbacks.

“I’m definitely strengthening my hamstrings a lot more than I have been, doing a different routine, a couple of extra exercises each day on our leg days,” Austin said, via the Dallas Morning News. “I’m just running hard and trying to compete at a high level at this time, that way it doesn’t shock your muscles when you actually do it for real.”

There has been some criticism that Austin works out two hard, thus putting himself in a place to be injured.

“I got to train as well as I can beforehand,” Austin said, “but I can’t not be the player that I am and practice hard or do those things.”

Last year Austin caught 66 passes for 943 yards.