Miles Austin has not been overwhelming this season, in fact the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver has been the exact opposite. Last week against the Denver Broncos, Tony Romo put up 506 passing yards and not a single one was credited to Austin. The wide receiver continues to sit out with a nagging hamstring issue, but is expected to return against the Washington Redskins.
Austin has missed the past two games for the Cowboys. After appearing healthy during training camp and the preseason, there was high hope that Austin could have another breakout year. Except the hamstring injury showed itself once again, leaving Austin with just 125 yards on 15 catches this year. He has yet to get his first touchdown.
Head coach Jason Garrett told media that Austin has had two strong days of practice with the team and baring any setbacks, he should be active and healthy on Sunday.
"I thought he did some good things. He seemed comfortable," Garrett said, via the team's website. "He'd been running well the last couple of days. He got through practice for the most part fairly healthy."
Austin was under performing before he suffered the hamstring issue back in Week 3 against the St. Louis Rams so it is unknown what kind of impact he will have upon return. Until Austin proves himself as a reliable target for Romo, owners should continue to take a chance on rookie Terrance Williams. The wide receiver has played extremely well in place of Austin and even if the wide receiver is on the field, the rookie will get a lot of attention from Romo.
In the past two weeks, Williams has put up solid numbers. He had 71 yards off seven passes against the Chargers. He then followed that up with 151 yards off four catches, including an 82-yard score against the Broncos. That game Romo spread the ball around allowing three different receivers to have +100-yard games.
The Washington Redskins defense could allow similar numbers. Opponents are putting up 298.3 yards per game passing against the Redskins as receivers are averaging 9.2 yards a catch. If Austin is on the field, it could be as a decoy drawing the defense away from Williams and allowing him to put up another big game. Owners would be wise to keep the rookie ahead of others on the depth chart.
