Miles Austin could be Cowboys salary cap cut

Veteran WR Miles Austin could be a cap casualty in the coming days, according to Adam Schefter. Austin has seen his numbers drop due to injury over the last two seasons, and the emergence of Dez Bryant as a legitimate target could convince the Cowboys that Austin is expendable.

According to Schefter, releasing Austin would save the Cowboys $3.8 million. The team is approximately $18 million over the projected salary cap for the 2013 season, the highest total in the NFL.

Austin had 943 yards on 66 catches with six touchdowns this past season in 16 games. He only played in 10 games in 2011, when Bryant began stepping up as the team's top wide receiver target. Austin, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2006, led the Cowboys in receiving yards and topped the 1,000-yard mark in 2009 and 2010. Injuries limited him to just 10 games in 2011 and provided Bryant with the opportunity for more work.

Add in tight end Jason Witten's 110 catches and 150 targets in 2012 - both team highs - and Austin's contract may be higher than the expected production for this season.

He signed a seven-year, $57 million contract in 2010, the same year the Cowboys brought in Bryant via the draft.

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