If Dez Bryant can’t play Sunday, the Cowboys will fill in for him by committee.
The committee chairman might be Dwayne Harris, who got more snaps last week than Kevin Ogletree and was the first name coach Jason Garrett mentioned Wednesday when he was asked about it.
“We have different guys playing in different personnel groups. That’s what we have done through the whole year,” Garrett said. “Dwayne Harris has played a lot lately. Cole Beasley has played some in recent weeks. Kevin Ogletree has been our third receiver.
“Each of those guys has done a really good job with the opportunities they have gotten.”
In the past four games, Harris has his first 11 career catches, for 135 yards.
“The coaches are starting to trust me more,” Harris said. “I think just due to what I’m doing at practice, going out, getting plays, getting more confident with Tony throwing me the ball, just doing my job.”
Harris got 35 snaps last week against Cincinnati. Ogletree had 21. Beasley had none.
The previous week, Ogletree had 35 snaps to Harris’ 13 and Beasley’s four.
On Thanksgiving against Washington, when Miles Austin went out with a hip injury and Ogletree missed the game with a concussion, Harris got 68 snaps and Beasley got 61.
Harris is confident in his relationship with Tony Romo.
“He throws me the ball a lot at practice. He knows that I’m a reliable receiver,” Harris said. “I’m going to be, most of the time, where I need to be, and he can just throw the ball. I think that’s what makes him more confident in me every week.”
Harris said he’s got to make sure he’s ready to play like a starter if Bryant can’t play.
“Every receiver, quarterback – anybody – can go down at any second,” he said. “You’ve just got to prepare every week like you’re starting. That’s been my mindset every week. With Dez, not sure if he’s going to go or not. We just go out in practice, prepare like you’re going to be the starter that week.”
-- Carlos Mendez
Twitter @calexmendez
Harris has played reasonably well and he has made some important catches. But when he is one on one to collect a Romo Bomb Harris MUST time it and LEAP with hands open to catch the pill. Harris & Beasley would be my combo choice if Bryant sits out with his finger.
Posted by: paul watson | December 13, 2012 at 02:04 AM
If Dez cant go, I want to see Dwayne Harris. He better get first call over Ogletree. Harris has the ability to make a big play. Ogletree? No chance.
Posted by: lenny64 | December 12, 2012 at 05:02 PM