Miles Austin practices, leaves fantasy owners with questions
The Cowboys wide receiver has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury. We break down the fantasy implications.
Ronald Martinez
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin practiced Thursday for the second straight day, according to ESPN NFL Nation reporter Todd Archer, increasing the chances he'll be active for the Cowboys' Sunday game against the Washington Redskins.
Austin has missed the Cowboys' last two games with a hamstring injury. In his absence, Terrance Williams has been the team's second wide receiver behind No. 1 Dez Bryant. Williams caught seven balls for 71 yards in Week 4, then exploded for 151 yards and a touchdown on four catches Sunday against the Broncos.
In three games this season, Austin has 15 total catches for 125 yards. He has yet to score.
Fantasy impact: This is definitely a problematic week for Austin to be a question mark, as the Cowboys play the Redskins at 8:30 p.m. ET Sunday, meaning fantasy owners who sit and wait for news might be down to just Washington, Dallas, Indianapolis and San Diego. Williams has been good enough through two games that there is some question what kind of playing-time split he and Austin will have, even when Austin is back to full health.
For this week alone, it seems like the most prudent course of action will be to proceed without Austin. It’s certainly a good sign that he’s practiced two days in a row, as that seems to indicate his leg is feeling better, but hamstring issues have dogged him for years, and his explosiveness when dealing with them is just about nonexistent. As for Williams, he’s an acceptable WR3/flex, but keep an eye out for any developments in the Austin news. If he ends up missing the game, Williams’ stock climbs a few slots.
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