Strains groin Sunday

Austin sustained a strained right groin during Sunday's 40-7 win versus the Jaguars, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: With three touches Sunday, Austin now has 13 on the season for 185 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. The Cowboys commence Week 7 prep Wednesday, at which point the team will be required to file an injury report. Until then, his status for next Sunday's contest at Washington will be up in the air.

Ruled out with groin injury

Austin has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Jaguars due to a groin injury, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Analysis: Prior to his departure, Austin made his usual minor impact on offense, taking two carries for 14 yards and hauling in his only target for five yards. He also returned one punt for three yards. Along with fellow wide receiver Brice Butler (groin), Austin will head into the upcoming week with an injury of unknown severity.

Gains 44 yards

Austin caught one of three targets for a 44-yard gain during Sunday's 19-16 loss to Houston.

Analysis: Dak Prescott was facing a swarm of Houston defenders midway through the fourth quarter, escaped to his left and lofted a bomb down the field for a 44-yard gain, setting up a game-tying field goal. Austin is averaging a whopping 16.6 yards per touch this season but only has 10 touches in silver and blue -- never more than four in a game this season. Austin is a dynamic playmaker but is not a reliable option until he earns consistent touches. It's hard to see him getting going against…read more

Returns to field

Austin (shoulder) returned to Sunday's game against the Lions, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Analysis: Austin initially exited the Week 4 contest midway through the first half, but he has now managed to return. The deep-threat receiver will hope to provide a spark to Dallas' offense with his return.

Injures shoulder Sunday

Austin is questionable to return to Sunday's game against Detroit due to a shoulder injury, Jane Slater of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Austin suffered a shoulder injury while attempting to reel in a deep end-zone pass from quarterback Dak Prescott, but he was unable to make the catch. If the big-play wideout is unable to return to the Week 4 matchup, expect an update on his health following the game.

Finds end zone again

Austin caught all three of his targets for only two total yards in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks, but he turned one of them into a three-yard touchdown and added 18 yards on his only rushing attempt.

Analysis: Despite showing he can take the top off a defense with his speed last week against the Giants, all of Austin's touches Week 3 came at or behind the line of scrimmage on bubble screens and jet sweeps. Until offensive coordinator Scott Linehan finds more creative ways to get him the ball, Austin isn't likely to make a consistent impact for the Cowboys.

Flashes big-play ability against Giants

Austin caught both his targets for 79 yards and a touchdown while adding one carry for 15 yards in Sunday night's win over the Giants.

Analysis: He blew past the defense for a 64-yard score on the third play of the game, but Austin didn't end up being much more involved in the Cowboys offense than he was Week 1, when he got one touch. He offers speed and big-play ability that the rest of the team's current receiving corps doesn't, but as yet offensive coordinator Scott Linehan doesn't seem committed to getting Austin consistent looks in a Zeke Elliott-focused attack. As such, Austin's fantasy usefulness is limited to deep leagues and…read more

Barely sees field in loss to Panthers

Austin was on the field for only 10 offensive snaps in Sunday's loss to the Panthers, failing to see a target and rushing the ball once for one yard.

Analysis: Despite all the big preseason talk of Austin being the Cowboys' version of Tyreek Hill, his actual debut with the team was a complete dud. His role could increase as the season wears on and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan tries to find some big-play weapons for Dak Prescott, but given the lack of impact Austin had in five years with the Rams, it's unlikely he'll make much of a splash in Dallas.

Expected to play Sunday

Austin (hamstring) is expected to play in Sunday's preseason game against the Cardinals, Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Analysis: Austin, who recently missed about a week's worth of time due to a bum hamstring, is practicing Friday, per Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News. While the 2013 first-rounder remains a leading candidate to return punts and kickoffs for the Cowboys this season, Austin is buried on the depth chart offensively and isn't a good bet for consistent fantasy production from the outset of the upcoming campaign.

Practice likely this week

Austin (hamstring) is expected to participate in practice this week, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Last Wednesday, Austin left drills with what was later termed a tight hamstring, which sidelined him Saturday versus the Bengals. With a return to practice imminent, he seems in line to make his presence felt in the Cowboys' third exhibition Sunday against the Cardinals. However, like teammate Cole Beasley (groin), Austin may have to practice in a full capacity before getting the all-clear for game action.

Won't play Saturday

Austin (hamstring) will not play in Saturday's preseason tilt against the Bengals, Jon Machota of the Dallas News reports.

Analysis: As expected, the Cowboys will keep Austin sidelined for Week 2 of the preseason as the team doesn't need to risk his long-term health at this point. Fellow receiver Cole Beasley (groin) has also been ruled out, leaving room for rookie Michael Gallup to see additional reps with the first-team offense alongside Terrance Williams and Allen Hurns.

Unlikely to suit up Saturday

Austin (hamstring) is unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Bengals, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Coach Jason Garrett called Austin -- who was injured during Wednesday's practice -- day-to-day. At this stage of the preseason, however, we suspect the Cowboys will play it safe with their new offensive weapon and instead take the opportunity to further evaluate younger and/or roster-bubble players.

Leaves practice with hamstring tightness

Austin departed Wednesday's practice session due to hamstring tightness, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Cowboys owners Jerry Jones clarified after practice that Austin's injury "didn't seem serious" and suggested that the 27-year-old's early exit was precautionary. Austin is aiming to find a role within the first-team offense this season, with most of his reps likely to come at wideout after the Cowboys briefly pondered deploying him out of the backfield when he was initially acquired in late April. He'll have a couple of days to rest up before Saturday's preseason contest against the Bengals.

Working at wide receiver

Austin spent a lot of time at wide receiver with the first-team offense Thursday during the first practice of training camp, NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal reports.

Analysis: The Cowboys have sent mixed signals since trading for Austin in April, with owner Jerry Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones both saying they envision their new acquisition as a pass-catching running back, while offensive coordinator Scott Linehan viewing the speedy 27-year-old as a wide receiver first and foremost. Linehan's vision seems to be taking precedence so far, but Austin could spend more time in the backfield once Terrance Williams (foot) is healthy and rookie wideouts…read more

Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said he primarily views Austin as a receiver, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports. "We'll use [Austin] for a lot of things, but he's a receiver first." said Linehan. "He's really in a lot of ways, some of his skill set is as an outside receiver, which is really unique, but he can move around, the slot."

Analysis: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones both suggested Austin would get most of his playing time as a running back, but Linehan seems to have a slightly different vision. The 2013 first-round pick filled a variety of roles during his time with the Rams, serving as an outside receiver, slot receiver, passing-down back, punt returner and kick returner. He never truly thrived outside of the return game, and things even fell apart on that front last season when he…read more

Austin will be used as a "web back" in Dallas, a role similar to the one Lance Dunbar previously held with the team, Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Analysis: While Jerry Jones, with his usual panache, suggested that Austin could see "a dozen to 20 times, two dozen" touches a game, the 28-year-old is likely to have a much smaller workload in 2018 playing behind Ezekiel Elliott in the backfield and Cole Beasley in the slot. If Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan is able to create some mismatches with Austin, however, the 28-year-old could rebound from last season's disappointing total of 317 yards from scrimmage in 16 games. It's worth noting…read more

Dealt to Dallas

The Rams have traded Austin to the Cowboys for a sixth-round draft pick, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Austin, a 2013 first-rounder, will look to rejuvenate his career in Dallas. The 28-year-old spent his first five seasons with the Rams, but is coming off his least productive one. He tallied just 47 receiving yards on 13 receptions, while also providing 270 yards and a touchdown through the ground on a career high 59 carries. Dallas figures to be an advantageous situation for him, as nothing is set in stone with the receiving depth chart at this point. He will presumably battle with Cole…read more

Austin restructured his contract and will remain with the Rams, Gary Klein of The Los Angeles Times reports.

Analysis: It was rumored that Austin would either seek a trade or release at the beginning of the new league year, but the longtime Ram will remain in Los Angeles for at least the immediate future. The 27-year-old saw a major drop in pass-catching production in Sean McVay's offense last season, recording 13 receptions for 47 yards. However, Austin did see a career-high 59 rushing attempts for 270 yards and one score.

Bags apparently packed

The Rams will either trade or release Austin before the start of the league year, a source has told Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

Analysis: Austin has come nowhere near his No. 8 overall status from 2013, never posting more than 509 receiving yards in five NFL seasons while typically being used more as a gadget-play guy or big-play specialist. Although the Rams finally put together an exciting offense in 2017, Austin was even less a focal point, totaling an ugly 47 receiving yards to go with 270 rushing yards while suiting up in all 16 games. It appears his time with the Rams may be done.

Austin received just two offensive snaps and wasn't targeted during Saturday's 26-13 loss to the Falcons in the wild-card round.

Analysis: After topping 50 receptions in consecutive seasons, Austin only received 22 targets in 2017. He was more involved in the rushing attack with a career-high 59 carries for 270 yards and a touchdown, but he only caught 13 passes for 47 yards. The additions of Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and Sammy Watkins pushed Austin down the receiver depth chart and almost entirely out of the offensive game plan. Austin is under contract through the 2021 season with a $42 million pact. However, there's now only $5…read more

Austin rushed four times for 24 yards and caught three of five targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 34-13 loss to San Francisco.

Analysis: After seeing the field for just six offensive snaps last week, Austin was much more involved in Week 17. However, it's also because the Rams rested and limited a number of their starters. It's been a disastrous fantasy campaign for the speedster, as he never found a niche in first-year head coach Sean McVay's offense. There's a chance Austin can carve out a role in 2018, but it's probably best to take a wait-and-see approach in keeper/dynasty settings, and he's likely best viewed as a risky…read more

Austin rushed 10 times for 44 yards during Sunday's 42-7 win over Seattle.

Analysis: The speedster's first carry came in the second quarter with the Rams ahead 13-0, and then he didn't touch the ball again until the game was entirely out of hand in the third quarter. Austin still only saw the field for 14 of 71 offensive plays, and he didn't receive a target for a second consecutive week. As a result, there aren't many fantasy settings where he should be relied on, especially at this stage of the season.

Austin had one carry for six yards and had negative-nine receiving yards and a lost fumble in Sunday's loss to the Eagles.

Analysis: Austin actually wasn't targeted by Jared Goff in the game, but the receiving yards and lost fumble came on the final play of the game as the Rams used laterals as a last ditch effort, and Austin was the unlucky man. The 26-year-old speedster continues to have a minimal impact despite the Rams' revamped offense, and has yet to reach 50 yards from scrimmage in a game this season.

Austin rushed three times for eight yards and failed to haul in his lone reception during Sunday's 32-16 win over Arizona.

Analysis: Austin's underwhelming season continues, and at this stage of the game, he's a low-end option in all fantasy settings. The 2013 first-round pick has been just targeted 17 times through 12 games, as Austin has been utilized more as a change-of-pace rusher with 44 totes for 196 yards on the campaign. The speedster's potential game-breaking ability in space hasn't materialized with head coach Sean McVay's calling the plays, and with Los Angeles 9-3 and eyeing the postseason, it's unlikely Austin…read more

Austin carried the ball five times for 17 yards and caught three passes for a loss of a yard during Sunday's 26-20 win over the Saints.

Analysis: The catches tied a season high and snapped a three-game catchless streak for the former first-round pick. The Rams are trying to find ways to use the unique skillset of Austin and he saw 27 offensive snaps on Sunday, but he just doesn't really fit in with what new head coach Sean McVay is trying to do. Austin has four times as many carries as catches this season and -- despite all that speed -- is averaging just 4.5 yards per touch and has two plays of 20 or more yards this season.

Austin played only 11 of 66 offensive snaps and rushed twice for just five yards during Sunday's 33-7 win over Houston.

Analysis: Austin wasn't targeted in the passing game for a second consecutive week, and he has just seven receptions for 43 yards through nine games for the campaign. That's not exactly the usage fantasy owners are coveting from a wide receiver. At this stage of the season, it's pretty clear that Austin is primarily locked in as a change-of-pace option out of the backfield. While his speed and vision in space still enable him to be a big-play threat, he checks out as a low-floor, low-ceiling asset in the…read more