The speedy Dallas Cowboys receiver who clocked a 4.34 40-yard dash at the 2013 scouting combine had an opportunity for a game-breaking play against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
But the Cowboys didn’t want to see him go.
With the Cowboys trailing the Vikings, 28-24 with 24 seconds left, Minnesota punted from deep in its own territory, providing Dallas a last-gasp effort at a go-ahead score.
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Austin fielded the punt near midfield without a Vikings defender within 15 yards of him while facing an open lane toward the end zone down the left sideline. And he did nothing with the opportunity.
Instead of attempting a return, Austin called for a fair catch, presumably because he was instructed to do so no matter what in order to save precious seconds on the game clock.
Otherwise, there’s no rational reason for a punt returner to call a fair catch when facing this punt-return defense.
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