FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 5/9/2013 1:49pm et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin made changes to his offseason workouts to try and prevent a recurrence of the hamstring injuries that have dogged him in recent years. 'I'm definitely strengthening my hamstrings a lot more than I have been, just doing a different routine, a couple of extra exercises on our leg days,' Austin said. 'I'm just running hard and trying to compete at a high level. That way, it doesn't shock your muscles when you actually do it for real.'

Huddle Up: Austin has missed 7 starts over the past 2 seasons, and it's kept him under 1,000 yards in back-to-back years now after finishing with 1,320 in 2009 and 1,041 in 2010.

Posted: 2/28/2013 11:23pm et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin restructured his contract Thursday, Feb. 28, to help get the Cowboys under the NFL salary cap. Austin did not take a pay cut, but did shift some of his base salary to a signing bonus.

Huddle Up: As expected, the Cowboys went this route with Austin instead of releasing the WR. TE Jason Witten also agreed to some restructuring as Dallas scraps to get under the cap.

Posted: 2/25/2013 12:42am et

Updating previous reports, Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said the team will not release WR Miles Austin this offseason. The team may ask Austin to restructure his contract in order to create some salary cap space.

Huddle Up: Definitely expect some sort of restructuring to take place with Austin and a few others as the Cowboys reportedly possess one of the league's worst current cap situations.

Posted: 2/24/2013 12:54pm et

The Dallas Cowboys would save $3.6 million against their salary cap if they released WR Miles Austin. The team is roughly $18 million over the cap.

Huddle Up: There can be no arguing that Austin hasn't been productive over the last 4 seasons in Big D, but with the team that much over the cap, there would be more shocking moves the 'Boys could make.

Posted: 2/23/2013 11:55am et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin has struggled with hamstring injuries for the past two seasons. Head coach Jason Garrett said Friday, Feb. 22, and during the season, that hydration is a big part of injury prevention. He added that the coaches need to protect Austin from himself during the week.

Huddle Up: Anyone else smell a Gatorade endorsement coming? A healthy Austin has tended to be a productive Austin, though he's certainly lost his role as go-to receiver to Dez Bryant. A quality--and healthy--WR2 in a Tony Romo passing game certainly lends itself to fantasy success, so perhaps the Cowboys can find the fountain of happy (and hydrated) hamstrings for Austin.

Posted: 11/30/2012 4:42pm et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hip) was limited during practice Friday, Nov. 30, and is listed as questionable for Week 13.

Huddle Up: Austin seems like he should be alright for the game this weekend, but he might be limited. Keep an eye on him on Sunday to make sure he isn't a surprise scratch, but you might be better served finding another option.

Posted: 11/28/2012 2:01pm et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hip, back) is on the practice field Wednesday, Nov. 28, doing some rehab on the side.

Huddle Up: This is much better news than what we heard earlier in the week; Austin fantasy owners can breathe a sigh of relief. This also means Cole Beasley will likely be relegated to a non-factor with Kevin Ogletree's likely return.

Posted: 11/28/2012 11:12am et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin is expected to recover in time for the team's Week 13 game, according to a source.

Huddle Up: Austin has been battling back and hip injuries while Dez Bryant has been stealing his looks in the Dallas offense. Austin will return to a reduced role, though an uptick is as close as the next dunderheaded thing Bryant does.

Posted: 11/27/2012 10:12am et

The Dallas Cowboys are hopeful that WR Miles Austin will be ready for the Week 13 game.

Huddle Up: Austin is nursing hamstring and hip injuries and has fallen well behind Dez Bryant in the Cowboys' passing game pecking order. However, a date with the struggling Eagles might be an opportunity for Austin to get reacquainted with Tony Romo--and the end zone.

Posted: 11/26/2012 4:08pm et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hamstring, hip) said he hopes to participate in practice Wednesday, Nov. 28.

Huddle Up: Austin left his owners high and dry on Thanksgiving after leaving the game with injury without a catch. The Cowboys as well as fantasy teams can't really afford to be without his services right now so lots of eyeballs on Austin's situation this week

Posted: 11/23/2012 1:36pm et

Updating a previous report, Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hip) suffered a right hip strain in Week 12 and didn't return to the game.

Huddle Up: Austin has a history of nagging injuries that can keep him out for a game or two, so check his status throughout next week. The good news is that he has a few extra days to heal up since he was injured in a Thursday game.

Posted: 11/22/2012 6:30pm et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin left in the first quarter of Thursday's Week 12 game because of a hip strain and will miss the rest of the game.

Huddle Up: Austin was out the rest of the first half and didn't record a reception on 2 targets. Reserves Dwayne Harris and Cole Beasley saw more snaps opposite Dez Bryant with Austin out.

Posted: 10/20/2012 12:35pm et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin has caught just six passes for 88 yards in the last two games as WR Dez Bryant (groin) has emerged. He is third on the team in receptions with 20. Miles could see increased targets in Week 7 if Bryant is unable to play. Head coach Jason Garrett believes Austin will breakout as the season continues. 'Miles has done a really good job this season battling through some injuries,' Garrett said. 'He had the hamstring throughout training camp, and I think he's been really productive in spite of all that. And I think he's getting healthier and healthier as the season goes on.'

Huddle Up: The team expects Dez Bryant to play Sunday against the Panthers, but there is a chance he could be limited. If not, any increase in Miles Austin action will have to be a result of game planning and game conditions.

Posted: 10/10/2012 7:27pm et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hamstring) fully participated in practice Wednesday, Oct. 10.

Huddle Up: Despite some preseason hammy worries, Austin has played -- and played well -- in all 4 of the Cowboys' games this year. He leads the team with 300 receiving yards and has been on the receiving end of 3 of Tony Romo's 5 TD passes.

Posted: 9/28/2012 6:52pm et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hamstring) fully participated in practice Friday, Sept. 28.

Huddle Up: Austin has appeared on the Cowboys' injury report all season but hasn't missed a game. And in a season where some of Dallas' other top fantasy guns (Jason Witten, Dez Bryant) mainly are firing blanks, Austin has been far and away Tony Romo's most reliable target, ranking sixth among all fantasy wideouts with his 14 catches, 243 yards and 2 TDs so far. He continues to be a must-start in all leagues and formats.

Posted: 9/20/2012 5:29pm et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hamstring) fully participated in practice Thursday, Sept. 20.

Huddle Up: It was the second straight full practice for Austin who has been the Cowboys' most consistent target so far with 9 catches for 136 yards and 2 TDs through 2 weeks. He has a great chance to keep rolling Sunday against the Bucs, who only surrendered 510 passing yards to the Giants in Week 2.

Posted: 9/5/2012 12:03pm et

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said WRs Dez Bryant and Miles Austin are both 100 percent entering Week 1.

Huddle Up: Bryant has been nursing a knee injury and Austin continues to battle hamstring issues, but Dr. Jones and his vast medical expertise have deemed them healthy so look for them in action in tonight's season kickoff.

Posted: 9/3/2012 5:18pm et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hamstring) fully participated in practice Monday, Sept. 3.

Huddle Up: Dez Bryant also was a full participant in practice so barring a setback it appears Romo will have at least 2 of his big 3 receiving targets available Wednesday night.

Posted: 8/21/2012 1:53pm et

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones doesn't expect WR Miles Austin (hamstring) to play for the remainder of the preseason while dealing with a strained hamstring. However, the team expects him to be ready for the team's Sept. 5 opener against the New York Giants. 'We're basically just wanting to make sure he's ready for New York,' Jones said. 'That's where it's all headed for him. He probably will need some work, just logic tells you, before he gets in the game, but we're not interested in seeing him (play in the preseason).'

Huddle Up: There's big trouble in Big D. The passing game has been a mess in the preseason as QB Tony Romo has been without his top 4 targets (TE Jason Witten and WRs Austin, Dez Bryant and Laurent Robinson) from last season. Robinson has moved on to Jacksonville, but Witten (spleen), Bryant (knee) and Austin (hammy) are all down with injuries. Some of the injury issues will be cleared up by the Sept. 5 regular-season opener, but others will undoubtedly linger. Feel free to start downgrading Romo and his targets on your draft boards until the news starts turning positive.

Posted: 8/16/2012 11:49pm et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hamstring) ran sprints on the sidelines during practice Thursday, Aug. 16.

Huddle Up: A positive development, but what the Cowboys and prospective fantasy GMs want to see is Austin put together a string of healthy games, preseason or regular season, to ease the doubts after the wideout missed 6 contests a year ago.

Posted: 8/9/2012 5:41pm et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hamstring) is not worried about his latest hamstring injury. Instead, Austin is focusing on a return to the field. Austin will not play in the team's preseason opener. 'It's up to whoever to be concerned,' Austin said. 'Anybody who wants to be concerned can be concerned. I can't focus on who's concerned or who's not concerned. I need to focus on getting back.'

Huddle Up: Don't look for Austin on Monday night at Oakland. In fact, if you pick him in a draft over the next two weeks you'll probably be lacking concrete information about his leg.

Posted: 8/5/2012 10:36pm et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hamstring) will miss at least one week because of a hamstring injury. The team said they are not worried about the injury at this time.

Huddle Up: Tough break for the 'Boys, who also are dealing with fellow wideout Dez Bryant's off-field issues this preseason. Austin needs to put in quality rehab after being hamstrung for six games last season with similar injuries that were stubborn in healing.

Posted: 8/4/2012 11:21pm et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hamstring) suffered a hamstring injury in practice Saturday, Aug. 4.

Huddle Up: Austin missed six games due to hamstring injuries in both legs last year. This guy's magical 2009 season is becoming more and more of a distant memory. He has just four 100-yard games in his last 24 starts.