The Facts:
It was reported Saturday that Austin could soon be released to provide the Cowboys with salary-cap relief. Don't count on it. Citing a team source, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that the Cowboys remain committed to Austin.
Reported by NFL.com
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
As noted in
the previous item, the team's focus at this time is making sure the wide receiver is healthy before the 2013 season. The cap-strapped Cowboys would save $3.6 million if they released Austin, leading to speculation a move could be made. Austin played in all 16 games last season, but nagging leg injuries hindered his ability. Austin, 28, is due $6.5 million in 2013, not an exorbitant amount of money for a No. 2 receiver. He signed a six-year, $54 million contract extension in 2010, but he's yet to match the production of his breakout 2009 season when he finished with 1,320 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. As NFL.com's Dan Hanzus notes, injuries have held Austin back, but there's no denying how dangerous the Cowboys' offense can be when Austin, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten are on the field together. The Cowboys aren't in a hurry to break up that dynamic trio.
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