Owens sits, Austin steps in for Dallas Cowboys

Aug. 4--OXNARD, Calif. -- Terrell Owens was given a day off from practice Sunday. And while Owens was wearing some shades and talking to the wide receivers on the sidelines, Miles Austin was in his place on the first team trying to impress.

Austin, entering his third season with the Cowboys, has made the roster with his kick return ability. But he's competing with friend Sam Hurd for the No. 3 wide receiver spot.

"I don't really consider it really competing against him," said Austin, who hasn't had a catch in two NFL seasons because he played mostly special teams. "I feel like it's almost like a golf tournament, where you're not going against somebody. It's whoever does the best."

Austin has the speed the Cowboys were missing last year when Terry Glenn was out with a knee injury. Glenn was supposed to be the deep speed threat in the offense, but when he was released at the start of camp, Austin moved into that role.

"I put pressure on myself, and I expect great things out of myself," Austin said. "Putting pressure on myself every day is nothing abnormal. I go in everyday to work and whatever happens, happens."

Players wearing down: The Cowboys have held 15 practices in 10 days, and veterans Flozell Adams, Marc Colombo, Zach Thomas, Jason Witten and Owens have gotten days off in the last two days.

Wade Phillips spoke to his team late last week about their sluggishness.

"I think we're getting to the physical point where we're wearing down a little bit," Phillips said. "But it's still the mental part of it."

Phillips said meeting Sunday morning instead of Saturday night gave the players a little life.

Phillips said it's normal for players to get worn down at this time of year, but he believes things will pick up this week with a game coming up on Saturday.

Bennett needs some work: Tight end Martellus Bennett, a second-round pick, got some more work in practice with Witten getting a day off. Tony Curtis and Bennett worked with the first and second teams in practice.

Phillips said he would like to see a little more from the rookie.