Jason Garrett says Miles Austin return was just ‘OK’
By Mike Dyce
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin finally made it through training camp with out an injury. That had many people filled with optimism about the upcoming season for Austin. In the season opener against the New York Giants, Austin carried the pass offense with 10 receptions for 72 yards.
Eventually he suffered a hamstring injury early in the season and missed two games. On Sunday night he returned to the line up against the Washington Redskins and caught zero passes as the offense struggled. Head coach Jason Garrett wasn’t too terribly impressed with Austin’s performance.
“I thought Miles looked OK,” Garrett said, via ESPN Dallas. “He’s clearly working his way back into it. I don’t think he looked as explosive as he did early on in the year. He’s clearly trying to get his hamstring healthy. He came through the game, looked like he was able to function, everything we asked him to do. But he’s a work in progress coming back.”
There was questions about whether Austin’s struggles are mental after repeated hamstring injuries.
“I think that’s probably something that you have to consider with any injury, how confident is the player coming back, whether it’s a hamstring, whether it’s a knee or my ankle or my arm if I’m a thrower,” Garrett said. “Just the level of comfort you need to play with and anytime you’re dealing with something you have to make sure that your mind is right by the time you step on that game field.”
The Cowboys could use a full-speed Austin back in the line up. The Cowboys receivers struggled against the Redskins. Cole Beasley led the team with 4 catches for 44 yards.