Cowboys Plan To Lock Up Austin

From The Ft. Worth Star Telegram:

IRVING — Dallas Cowboys wide receivers Miles Austin and Sam Hurd probably won’t sign their restricted free-agent tenders by today, the deadline for restricted free agents to sign offers with other teams, a source said.

But look for one or both to sign their $1.54 million offers, possibly on Monday. The wild card is Austin, who is in the process of negotiating a multiyear contract extension with the Cowboys.

Austin could wait until the two sides come to an agreement on an extension or he could sign the tender and continue negotiating the extension.

But according to a source, the Cowboys do plan to sign Austin to a multiyear deal.

The team has the right to reduce each player’s initial qualifying offer of $1.54 million if they don’t sign by the Friday deadline.

Both players are in the team’s plans for next season, especially the speedy Austin, who is expected to help replace Terrell Owens.

Earlier this week the New York Jets decided not to make a contract offer to Austin. They decided they didn’t want to give up a second-round pick, which would have been the compensation if the Cowboys decided not the match the offer.