Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin said he will play in the season opener at the New York Giants on Sept. 5.
Austin has missed most of camp nursing a hamstring injury he suffered nearly a month ago.
The Cowboys have likely been overcautious with the injury considering Austin missed six games in last season with two different hamstring injuries.
His absence has given the Cowboys a chance to evaluate some of the younger receivers such as Kevin Ogletree, Dwayne Harris and Cole Beasley, who all seem to have roster spots locked up as backups.
Ratliff still on crutches: While the Cowboys are hopeful Jay Ratliff will be able to play in the season opener against the Giants, the Pro Bowl defensive tackle was on crutches Tuesday. Ratliff attended the annual Kickoff Luncheon at Cowboys Stadium, where the team is introduced and last year’s awards were announced. But instead of accompanying the team as they were introduced individually, Ratliff remained seated at the table.
He does not have a walking boot, but he used the crutches to get around as he gingerly put weight on his left ankle.
Witten visits doctor: As expected, tight end Jason Witten met with his doctors Tuesday morning to get a CT scan of his abdominal area to regarding his lacerated spleen injury.
Witten attended the Kickoff Luncheon later in the day as he and the team awaited results.
Witten did strength and conditioning drills on Monday as the rest of the team practiced. The nine-year veteran has only missed one game in his career -- and none since his rookie season in 2003 when he suffered a broken jaw.
Jenkins headed back to Florida: Assuming Hurricane Isaac doesn’t interfere, cornerback Mike Jenkins said he planned to visit Dr. James Andrews in Florida to check out his shoulder injury.
Jenkins had rotator cuff surgery in January and it’s taken awhile for him to regain motion and strength in the shoulder.
Jenkins said last week he won’t return to the field until he’s 100 percent. He Andrews on Aug. 5 and was not cleared for practice. Even if he gets cleared this time, it’ll be a stretch to think he can be ready to play Sept. 5 against the Giants.
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