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With Dez Bryant out, Brice Butler gets his chance
3:46 PM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
FRISCO, Texas -- Early in Tuesday’s practice, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo made sure he was paired with Brice Butler.
After throwing a pass to Terrance Williams in individual drills, Romo had Butler sit for a minute so he could get his timing down with him.
On any other day it might not have been noteworthy, but on this day Dez Bryant was not practicing because of a concussion. He won’t play Thursday against the Seattle Seahawks.
Butler is expected to move up to the starter’s role with Bryant out, depending on the personnel grouping the Cowboys use.
In the first two preseason games, Butler has four catches for 96 yards and a touchdown, but he has yet to catch a pass from Romo.
Acquired in a trade last year after Bryant suffered a broken foot in the season opener, Butler is still waiting for his first pass from Romo. The quarterback suffered a broken collarbone in Week 2 and after he returned seven weeks later Butler was slowed by a hamstring strain.
By the time Butler was healthy, Romo broke his collarbone for a second time.
“Last year there was a lot of stuff going on, went from being traded to being here for a few weeks then getting hurt, so I think I wasn’t really able to show on a consistent basis because I wasn’t out there,” Butler said. “Now I’ve been practicing every day. They get to see me every day. They’re understanding who I am as a person more.”
There were some who wondered whether Butler would challenge Williams for the No. 2 receiver spot in training camp. That hasn't happened, but the Cowboys have seen he can make plays.
In last week’s game against the Miami Dolphins, he started a two-play drive with a 58-yard catch from Dak Prescott and ended it with a 1-yard fade from Prescott for the score. He had a potential touchdown catch negated because of an offensive pass interference penalty.
“You mean the one they stole from me,” Butler said.
The aggressiveness -- even if it was called a push off -- was something the Cowboys liked even if they wished it was a little more subtle.
“One of the things for him is just to play and to understand how physical he needs to be,” coach Jason Garrett said. “He’s a big guy, he runs well, he’s a good route runner. But it’s a physical game, a physical game at the point of the catch. I think he’s improved in that area.”
3:46 PM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
FRISCO, Texas -- Early in Tuesday’s practice, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo made sure he was paired with Brice Butler.
After throwing a pass to Terrance Williams in individual drills, Romo had Butler sit for a minute so he could get his timing down with him.
On any other day it might not have been noteworthy, but on this day Dez Bryant was not practicing because of a concussion. He won’t play Thursday against the Seattle Seahawks.
Butler is expected to move up to the starter’s role with Bryant out, depending on the personnel grouping the Cowboys use.
In the first two preseason games, Butler has four catches for 96 yards and a touchdown, but he has yet to catch a pass from Romo.
Acquired in a trade last year after Bryant suffered a broken foot in the season opener, Butler is still waiting for his first pass from Romo. The quarterback suffered a broken collarbone in Week 2 and after he returned seven weeks later Butler was slowed by a hamstring strain.
By the time Butler was healthy, Romo broke his collarbone for a second time.
“Last year there was a lot of stuff going on, went from being traded to being here for a few weeks then getting hurt, so I think I wasn’t really able to show on a consistent basis because I wasn’t out there,” Butler said. “Now I’ve been practicing every day. They get to see me every day. They’re understanding who I am as a person more.”
There were some who wondered whether Butler would challenge Williams for the No. 2 receiver spot in training camp. That hasn't happened, but the Cowboys have seen he can make plays.
In last week’s game against the Miami Dolphins, he started a two-play drive with a 58-yard catch from Dak Prescott and ended it with a 1-yard fade from Prescott for the score. He had a potential touchdown catch negated because of an offensive pass interference penalty.
“You mean the one they stole from me,” Butler said.
The aggressiveness -- even if it was called a push off -- was something the Cowboys liked even if they wished it was a little more subtle.
“One of the things for him is just to play and to understand how physical he needs to be,” coach Jason Garrett said. “He’s a big guy, he runs well, he’s a good route runner. But it’s a physical game, a physical game at the point of the catch. I think he’s improved in that area.”