Allen Hurns is trying to ask nicely for more targets
There’s lots of fault to go around for the Dallas Cowboys offense right now, but Allen Hurns is almost begging to be more involved.
If not for the Arizona Cardinals setting offensive football back for most of the first three weeks, the Dallas Cowboys would have the worst offense in the NFL as a practical matter right now. A depleted set of pass catchers is obvious and criticism of the play calling is almost too easy.
Allen Hurns was signed to a two-year, $12 million deal by the Cowboys as a theoretical replacement for Dez Bryant as their No. 1 wide receiver. But he has been targeted just nine times over the first three games, with four catches for 51 yards.
Cole Beasley (16) and Deonte Thompson (12) are the Cowboys two most-targeted wide receivers this season and even tight end Geoff Swaim (11) has more targets than Hurns.
Rookie Michael Gallup (three catches for 31 yards, seven targets) could also make a case to be more involved going forward.
According to Calvin Watkins of The Athletic, Hurns wants the ball more and believes he can help the Cowboys’ passing game get on track.
Allen Hurns isn't trying to be selfish or boastful. But he thinks the Cowboys offense can improve by getting him the ball more, and he's not afraid to say it.
— The Athletic Dallas (@TheAthleticDFW) September 26, 2018
| @calvinwatkins |https://t.co/Y1GMg1RxJ7
For what it’s worth, Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan hinted at a tighter wide receiver rotation going forward
Scott Linehan on shorterWR rotation: I think there will be a little bit more, I guess a consistent receiver rotation. Now we’re in the 4th game of the year. Exactly what that is, it’d be a little more of strategic information, but I think that might be something that can help us.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) September 27, 2018
Before injuries hampered him in 2016 and 2017 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hurns had 64 receptions for 1,031 yards (16.1 yards per catch) and 10 touchdowns catching passes from Blake Bortles in 2015. So he knows what it is to work with a quarterback that looks limited.
But Prescott is also being limited by his circumstances, up to and including a lack of involvement for Hurns.
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Things can’t get much worse for the 31st-ranked scoring and passing offense in the league. Hurns stopped shy of being demonstrative with his words, and he probably won’t author a Bryant-esque sideline meltdown if more targets don’t start coming his way.
Some of his shortcomings thus far are on him, but Hurns clearly wants to be more involved and the Cowboys paid him to be a key contributor this year.