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SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) - Here's a juicy bit of news: Not having Terrell Owens the last few weeks actually has been a good thing for the Dallas Cowboys.
Don't get the wrong idea. The Cowboys definitely would've rather had their new lead receiver on the field, both to work with the rest of the offense and to cut down on the chatter generated by his lingering hamstring injury.
But his absence has forced more balls to be thrown to the unproven players fighting for backup jobs, and that's helped coaches sort through one of the team's biggest concerns of the preseason.
Undrafted rookie Sam Hurd and returning practice squad member Jamaica Rector seem to have taken the most advantage. After showing enough in practice last week to earn playing time with starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe, both fit in well with the first-teamers in a 30-7 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.
Hurd caught three passes for 30 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown that he had to fight off a defensive back to grab. Rector had three catches for 32 yards, all on that same scoring drive, including a 5-yarder on third-and-4 that he made despite his defender being flagged for pass interference.
"I'm excited about the way they have played," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "It makes me feel good about me not breaking my neck to find another receiver."
Owens missed much of training camp because of a hamstring injury that may require further evaluation this week. Patrick Crayton, the projected No. 3 receiver, also has been out with an injury. Players were off Tuesday, with practices resuming Wednesday at team headquarters.
It's uncertain whether Owens will join the club then or for the next preseason game, Saturday night at home against San Francisco. Coach Bill Parcells was in no mood to discuss T.O. after the Saints game.
"I'm tired of talking about it, I really am," Parcells said. "Let's talk about the guys who were here and played."
Terry Glenn was the most spectacular, providing a one-handed touchdown catch around his defender's head that should remind everyone Owens won't be Dallas' only game-breaking threat. He finished with 71 yards on four catches, showing no signs of problems with blisters that caused him to miss some time in training camp.
Terrance Copper, the only receiver on the roster besides Owens, Glenn and Crayton to have caught a pass in a regular-season game, had two catches for 32 yards.
Miles Austin, another undrafted rookie, helped his chances with a 48-yard touchdown catch from backup quarterback Tony Romo.
Even before the top three receivers were hurting, the Cowboys already were looking for more candidates. They acquired one from Denver, but that trade was voided Friday because of a failed physical.
More moves could be in the works. And there's always the waiver wire once teams begin cutting players, with Dallas likely most interested in veterans.
Presuming Crayton holds his job, Hurd is the likely front-runner for the fourth spot because he's learned the routes for all three receiving positions. He often works with Owens after practice and has made enough plays on the practice field for Bledsoe to trust him in the game.
For instance, consider this conversation before Hurd's touchdown: "I told him in the huddle to throw it up, and I would make a play for him," said Hurd, who did exactly that.
Coaches seem eager for Rector to succeed, too. They appreciate his hard work, especially in the weight room. He half-jokingly calls that a must because, "I'm the smallest dude on the team."
"I kind of try to balance things out with my strength," said Rector, who is 5-foot-10, 186 pounds.
Rector's status could depend on whether the Cowboys keep five or six receivers. It also depends on whether Skyler Green is among them since Parcells considers him strictly a kick returner. The fourth-round pick had 37 yards on four punt returns Monday night, most on a 22-yarder, and took his only kickoff 13 yards.
"He's in a tough battle for a job," Parcells said. "He's caught every punt that we've had this preseason. I can't give him any more work than that."
Don't get the wrong idea. The Cowboys definitely would've rather had their new lead receiver on the field, both to work with the rest of the offense and to cut down on the chatter generated by his lingering hamstring injury.
But his absence has forced more balls to be thrown to the unproven players fighting for backup jobs, and that's helped coaches sort through one of the team's biggest concerns of the preseason.
Undrafted rookie Sam Hurd and returning practice squad member Jamaica Rector seem to have taken the most advantage. After showing enough in practice last week to earn playing time with starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe, both fit in well with the first-teamers in a 30-7 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.
Hurd caught three passes for 30 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown that he had to fight off a defensive back to grab. Rector had three catches for 32 yards, all on that same scoring drive, including a 5-yarder on third-and-4 that he made despite his defender being flagged for pass interference.
"I'm excited about the way they have played," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "It makes me feel good about me not breaking my neck to find another receiver."
Owens missed much of training camp because of a hamstring injury that may require further evaluation this week. Patrick Crayton, the projected No. 3 receiver, also has been out with an injury. Players were off Tuesday, with practices resuming Wednesday at team headquarters.
It's uncertain whether Owens will join the club then or for the next preseason game, Saturday night at home against San Francisco. Coach Bill Parcells was in no mood to discuss T.O. after the Saints game.
"I'm tired of talking about it, I really am," Parcells said. "Let's talk about the guys who were here and played."
Terry Glenn was the most spectacular, providing a one-handed touchdown catch around his defender's head that should remind everyone Owens won't be Dallas' only game-breaking threat. He finished with 71 yards on four catches, showing no signs of problems with blisters that caused him to miss some time in training camp.
Terrance Copper, the only receiver on the roster besides Owens, Glenn and Crayton to have caught a pass in a regular-season game, had two catches for 32 yards.
Miles Austin, another undrafted rookie, helped his chances with a 48-yard touchdown catch from backup quarterback Tony Romo.
Even before the top three receivers were hurting, the Cowboys already were looking for more candidates. They acquired one from Denver, but that trade was voided Friday because of a failed physical.
More moves could be in the works. And there's always the waiver wire once teams begin cutting players, with Dallas likely most interested in veterans.
Presuming Crayton holds his job, Hurd is the likely front-runner for the fourth spot because he's learned the routes for all three receiving positions. He often works with Owens after practice and has made enough plays on the practice field for Bledsoe to trust him in the game.
For instance, consider this conversation before Hurd's touchdown: "I told him in the huddle to throw it up, and I would make a play for him," said Hurd, who did exactly that.
Coaches seem eager for Rector to succeed, too. They appreciate his hard work, especially in the weight room. He half-jokingly calls that a must because, "I'm the smallest dude on the team."
"I kind of try to balance things out with my strength," said Rector, who is 5-foot-10, 186 pounds.
Rector's status could depend on whether the Cowboys keep five or six receivers. It also depends on whether Skyler Green is among them since Parcells considers him strictly a kick returner. The fourth-round pick had 37 yards on four punt returns Monday night, most on a 22-yarder, and took his only kickoff 13 yards.
"He's in a tough battle for a job," Parcells said. "He's caught every punt that we've had this preseason. I can't give him any more work than that."
