Miles Austin Injury: Latest on WR's Week 1 Status, Dwayne Harris' Reps and More

The Dallas Cowboys desperately hope that Miles Austin can avoid injuries this year and record 1,000 receiving yards for the third time in four seasons.

Austin has been absent at most of the team's preseason activities with a hamstring injury he suffered in early August. At the time of the injury, ESPN Dallas’ Todd Archer reported that the wide receiver would be out for a week.

The Cowboys remained cautious as a week has turned into nearly a month. It is difficult to blame the team for keeping Austin off the field after he missed six games last season with hamstring problems on both legs.

The Cowboys are done with their preseason schedule—going 3-1 in their four games—and Austin is adamant he will be ready when the team takes the field for the season opener on September 5 against the New York Giants, as Archer reported on Wednesday. 

ESPN Dallas’ Calvin Watkins reported the same day that head coach Jason Garrett believed that Austin could resume practicing with the team as early as Saturday.

In Austin’s absence, second-year wideout Dwayne Harris has been given the chance to shine. Given Austin’s worrisome hamstring problems and Dez Bryant’s off-field issues, Harris may be seeing substantial playing time this year.

The 24-year-old had his finest moments of the preseason in Dallas’ third game against the St. Louis Rams, where he caught three passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

The impressive performance gave quarterback Tony Romo a reason to be excited about Harris’ future, be he also did not shy away from saying Harris had work to do. Romo said, via CBS Sports’ Nick Eastman, “For him, it's never been about the big things. It's just about the little things with Dwayne. If he can get those things down, he's got a chance to really help this team.”

Despite Harris’ talent, Romo and Cowboys fans will be hoping Austin remains healthy. Check back to this page for updates on his health going forward.