Tavon Austin

Austin wrapped up the 2019 season with 13 catches on 24 targets for 177 receiving yards and a touchdown, adding 47 rushing yards and another score on six carries.

Analysis: While the veteran speedster saw nearly three times as many snaps on offense under new OC Kellen Moore than he did the season before, Austin did little with the extra opportunities, winding up with nearly identical production to 2018, when he totaled 195 scrimmage yards and two TDs. He's also no longer much of a threat in the return game -- he managed only 84 yards on punt returns this year, and his last return for a touchdown came in 2015 with the Rams. An unrestricted free agent, Austin could be brought back as wideout depth if Amari Cooper and Randall Cobb wind up signing elsewhere, but he's unlikely to be a major factor in whichever offense he finds himself in next season.

Austin caught one of two targets for five yards during Sunday's loss to the Eagles.

Analysis: Austin played only 16 offensive snaps, his lowest snap total since Week 12. The 29-year-old has 12 receptions for 176 yards and one touchdown this season.

Austin caught his only target for a 59-yard touchdown in Sunday's 44-21 win over the Rams.

Analysis: He also gained three yards on two carries. The Cowboys leaned heavily on their running game, as Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard each ran for over 100 yards and combined for three TDs, so there wasn't a whole lot of production left over for the team's wide receivers. Austin made his one opportunity in the passing game count, however -- he found himself wide open after two Los Angeles defenders collided, and Dak Prescott got him the ball for an easy score. It was Austin's first receiving TD of the year, adding to a rushing touchdown he scored in Week 7 against next Sunday's opponents, the Eagles.

Austin was unable to bring in either of this targets during Thursday's 31-24 loss to Chicago.

Analysis: Austin was unable to build on his Week 13 two-catch performance and now has not touched the ball on offense in four of Dallas' six games since the bye. The Cowboys are still in the thick of it in a weak NFC East, but the offense hasn't shown the life it had earlier in the season against a murder's row of pass defenses over the past three weeks, losses to New England, Buffalo, and Chicago. The challenges, and potential struggles, continue Sunday as Austin and the Cowboys take on the league's 10th-ranked pass defense in the Rams.

Austin caught two of his five targets for 22 yards during Thursday's 26-15 loss to Buffalo.

Analysis: Austin's receptions were his first since a five-catch performance in Week 6. He had two rushes for 27 yards and a touchdown since then. Austin has given way to Dallas' bevy of talented young receivers and even they have struggled as Dallas has walked into the pass-defense equivalent of a buzz saw. Austin, with his limited usage rate, would be an incredibly risky play no matter the opponent. As luck would have it, that opponent offers yet another difficult matchup Thursday as Dallas takes on Chicago's ninth-rated pass defense.

Austin did not bring in his only target of Sunday's 13-9 loss to New England.

Analysis: Austin has now been held catchless in five consecutive games and has just two rushes for 27 yards during that span. The 2013 first-round pick has been held to single-digit yardage or worse in six of nine games this season and has just one game with more than two touches. He might be good for an end-around or gadget play here and there, but that will be tough to pull off Thursday against Buffalo's third-ranked defense.

Austin was unable to haul in his only target of Sunday's 35-27 win over the Lions.

Analysis: Austin's 30 offensive snaps were his second most this season, but it didn't stop him from being held catchless for the fourth consecutive game. Austin offers some gadgetry and has a rushing touchdown on the season, but as a low-volume receiver with just two red-zone touches this season he's a huge risk. That is especially so Sunday against New England's second-ranked pass defense.

Austin caught five of six targets for a team-high 64 yards in Sunday's 24-22 loss to the Jets.

Analysis: The Cowboys' receiving ranks thinned when Amari Cooper was sidelined with a quadriceps injury, and Austin ended up being the biggest beneficiary of the available looks from Dak Prescott. If Cooper's injury lingers into next week, Austin could see additional targets again, but Michael Gallup is likelier to take on the No. 1 WR assignment.

Austin (concussion) is active for Sunday's game in New Orleans, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Analysis: Austin finally wrested his way out of the concussion protocol this week, which has allowed him to put an end to a two-game absence. Look for him to return to his specialized role on offense while potentially taking over punt-return duties.

Austin (concussion) is no longer listed on the injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Saints, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Austin has been battling a concussion for the last two weeks, but it looks like he is free of symptoms and good to go for the weekend. Expect Austin to assume his duties as the team's top punt returner.

Austin (concussion) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Austin is progressing through the league's protocol for head injuries, and he's now logged two consecutive limited practice sessions. The speedy wideout will need to be cleared by an independent neurologist before retaking the field. When Austin does return to the lineup he'll serve as the Cowboys' top punt returner.

Austin (concussion) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Analysis: Austin appears to be making solid progress through concussion protocol, and he'll look to clear it completely by Sunday's game versus the Saints. His offensive potential remains low if Amari Cooper (ankle) suits up, but he figures to slot in as the Cowboys' punt returner either way.

Austin (concussion) is ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Dolphins, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Austin will miss his second straight game. Devin Smith saw an increase in downfield targets in Austin's absence Week 2, and he figures to see a similar workload with Michael Gallup (knee) out as well. Randall Cobb will continue fielding punts.

Coach Jason Garrett said Thursday that Austin is improving but remains in the concussion protocol, Rob Phillips of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Analysis: Austin will have one more day to get healthy and return to practice ahead of Sunday's tilt against the Dolphins, but he appears to be trending towards inactive status. If Austin is indeed unable to go expect Randall Cobb to step up as Dallas' primary punt returner.

Austin (concussion) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Austin's chances of playing Sunday versus the Dolphins look slim again as he sits out the first practice of the week. There are opportunities available for Cowboys' wideout since Michael Gallup (knee) has been ruled out, but it appears Devin Smith will reap those benefits if Austin can't clear the league's concussion protocol, while Randall Cobb figures to continue fielding punts.

Austin (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Redskins, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Austin entered the league's concussion protocol this week and was unable to practice, which has ultimately led to him being ruled out for Week 2. With Austin out, Randall Cobb is in line to take on punt return duties, but the offense shouldn't be impacted much in his absence.

Austin (concussion) did not practice Thursday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Austin appears unlikely to clear the league's concussion protocol in time to suit up for Sunday's tilt against Washington. Expect Devin Smith to step up as the No. 4 wideout in Dallas if Austin is unable to go, and Randall Cobb to see work returning punts.

Austin was placed in the league's concussion protocol Wednesday, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Analysis: It's unlikely Austin is ready for Sunday's game versus the Redskins. The team currently only has four healthy wideouts and Devin Smith will be the No. 4 option, but the team is expected to bring aboard another receiver for depth. Expect Randall Cobb to return punts if Austin is indeed out.

Austin caught his lone target for an eight-yard gain during Sunday's 35-17 win over the Giants.

Analysis: Austin caught a short pass from Dak Prescott during the Cowboy's final drive of the first half, drew a penalty on another pass later in the drive, and was quiet for the rest of the game. There was a ton of attention paid in the offseason regarding Prescott's future and whether he could lead a team with his arm. With a creative design by new coordinator Kellen Moore, the soon-to-be-minted Prescott showed that he could put up big numbers, but Austin might not be the beneficiary. The stat line from Sunday shows that Randall Cobb may be the team's shifty, do-it-all weapon with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup on the outside. Throw in Prescott's long affinity for throwing to the tight end, and there might not be enough passes to go around even in a dynamic Dallas offense.

Austin caught his only target for 22 yards in Saturday's preseason win over the Texans.

Analysis: He made a nice catch down the sidelines on Cooper Rush's first toss of the night, but Austin faded into the woodwork after that. The veteran speedster gives the Cowboys some depth at wide receiver and as an option on jet sweeps and other such gadget plays, but his fantasy value even in formats that count all-purpose yards could be shrinking -- rookie WR Cedric Wilson returned punts for Dallas on Saturday instead of Austin, and looked very good doing it.

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