Dallas Cowboys: Here’s someone who should play in Week 17

With so much talk about who shouldn’t play in the Dallas Cowboys‘ final regular season game, there’s one player who absolutely should.

The Dallas Cowboys have the luxury of playing in their final game of the regular season relatively stress-free. With the NFC East crown secured as well as a spot in the playoffs, the Cowboys Week 17 matchup against the New York Giants is all but meaningless.

The Cowboys biggest concern is whether to rest their starters on Sunday and risk losing momentum heading into the postseason or play their stars and subject them to possible injury. There are plenty of pros and cons for both options.

But there is at least one player who absolutely should play against the Giants on Sunday if he is able. And that’s wide receiver Tavon Austin.

The Cowboys traded for the former eighth overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft in the offseason sending a sixth rounder to the Los Angeles Rams. Austin was initially thought to be a possible candidate as a web back, but Dallas opted to keep him at receiver this season.

And after an initial splash that included scoring two touchdowns in his first three games in Dallas, Austin has posted just two catches since. As was his issue with the Rams, the Cowboys are having a difficult time creating consistent touches for the gadget player.

But what has really stunted Austin’s career resurgence with the Cowboys is a groin injury. The 28-year old receiver hasn’t played since Week Six, way back in mid-October. During his absence, Dallas has added two-time Pro Bowl wideout Amari Cooper to the mix.

So far this week, Austin has been a full-time participant during both practice sessions. It is expected he’ll make his return against the Giants on Sunday. Still possessing blazing speed and cat-quick agility, Austin can be a difference maker on offense and special teams. But he desperately needs some playing time in order to shake off the rust before the Cowboys’ first playoff game.