Miles Austin Injury: Updates on Cowboys Star's Week 3 Status and Fantasy Value

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin had a brilliant game on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, as he hauled in nine passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns in Dallas' 27-24 win.

The only problem is that Austin also aggravated a hamstring injury in the process He is likely to be out for Week 3, and could need a few more weeks to heal before he can play again.

But Austin's status is not set in stone. For updates and fantasy analysis regarding Austin's hamstring injury, check back here periodically for all the latest.

Monday, Sept. 26 at 6:25 p.m. EDT

Just to make sure we're all on the same page, Miles Austin is not going to be playing in tonight's game against the Washington Redskins. ESPN's Adam Schefter revealed back on Saturday that Austin is officially listed as out.

If you have Austin in your fantasy lineup, and you have somebody else you can plug in, do so now before it's too late.

UPDATE: 9/24/2011 10:25 a.m. ET

The Dallas Cowboys found out again why they brought in Miles Austin when he went off for 9 receptions and 143 yards with 3 touchdowns to boot last week, but he won’t be playing this week.

ESPN NFL analyst John Clayton said on twitter that Austin will definitely not be going this week:

With Dez Bryant on the mend as well, the Dallas Cowboys will look heavily towards Jason Witten and the running backs, but if there was ever a week to start Kevin Ogletree, this would be the week.

Friday, Sept. 23 at 12:45 p.m. ET 

The word is now out, as Miles Austin will not be on the field Monday night according to sources. 

Matt Mosley is a TV analyst for Fox Sports Southwest. 

This is bad news for the Cowboys because they're already thin at wide receiver. Dez Bryant is likely to be a game time decision, and with Tony Romo also being banged up it's not looking good for the Cowboys this weekend. 

Austin was the only receiver that thrived in Week 2, but the late game injury has him out for Week 3. A solid week of rest for his hamstring will be good, and hopefully he'll be back on the field for Week 4. 

Thursday, Sept. 22 at 1:01 p.m. ET

Miles Austin isn't expected to play this weekend, and it looks like that is continuing to prove true. According to Tim McMahon of ESPN Dallas, the receiver wasn't at practice today.

Cowboys fans shouldn't get their hopes up for seeing Austin this week or next. The hamstring injury is going to take time to heal and the Cowboys have an early bye week they can gun for as his earliest possible return.

The Cowboys are banged up at a number of positions, but they cannot afford to risk losing Austin for a longer duration than what is already expected. He's too important to the offensive success of this team and must heal completely before returning. 

Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 5:05 p.m. ET

There's still no official word on Austin's status for Monday night's game against the Redskins, and likely won't be for a couple days, but Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett did share a few words about Austin's injured hamstring earlier today.

Per Redskins insider Chris Russell:

This is nothing we didn't already know, of course, as Austin injured his hamstring before the season started. But if you couple this with Garrett's insistence that Austin is day to day (see below), you get the feeling that the team is realistic about his chances of playing in Week 3.

Fantasy Value: I'd keep Austin on the bench until we know what his official status is. Even then, I'd tread carefully.

Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 3:00 p.m. ET

On Tuesday, somebody asked ESPN's Adam Schefter on Twitter if there was a timetable for Austin's return, and Schefter replied that Austin likely wouldn't be back before Dallas' Week 5 bye. That would put him in line to return Week 6 against the New England Patriots.

However, there has been a positive development regarding Austin's status on Wednesday. While the signs point towards him being doubtful or even out for Monday and beyond, the word via CBS Sports' fantasy football Twitter feed is that Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett is not ready to give up on Austin and fellow wide receiver Dez Bryant:

If that is the Cowboys' official stance, it appears they're at least holding out hope that Austin will be able to go on Monday.

Fantasy Value: Austin definitely belongs in your starting lineup when he's healthy, but I would wait for something more definitive before making a final decision. The Cowboys have an extra day to get ready for the Redskins, and it's obvious that they're trying to make the most of it.