There's simply no denying the size of the hole left in the Dallas Cowboys roster by Dez Bryant's broken foot. Bryant is one of the best, if not the best, wide receivers in the league. He finished last season with 88 receptions for 1,320 yards and 16 touchdowns and was well rewarded for his efforts with a five-year, $70 million contract extension. He's Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo's favorite target and he provides an impact that simply can't be matched by any other player in the Dallas lineup. Still, the beat goes on and as the Cowboys prepare for the rival Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night and Bryant settles into rest and rehab for the next four to six weeks, potential Dez replacements are reportedly being eyed by the team. Former Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks headlines a group of pass-catchers, a group which also includes Austin Pettis, Nick Toon and Clyde Gates, that the Cowboys will work out this week, according to a report from Todd Archer of ESPN.
Nicks, a former first-round pick of New York's, played in 16 regular season games for the Indianapolis Colts last season, managing just 38 receptions for 405 yards and four touchdowns. Nicks, a seven-year NFL veteran, burst onto the NFL scene with the Giants, managing 790, 1,052 and 1,192 yards receiving his first three seasons in the league. Injuries, however, limited his effectiveness and his overall production and ultimately led to his parting ways with New York. While he managed to appear in all 16 games for the Colts last year, along with three postseason contests, his contributions were limited, and after leaving the Colts this offseason, Hicks failed to make the Tennessee Titans.
He's a big-bodied wideout with strong hands, but his career has taken a significant downturn in recent seasons.
Pettis, a former third-round pick of the Rams, failed to ever make much of an impact in St. Louis. He's never posted more than 38 receptions or 399 yards receiving in a season.
Toon, a one-time fourth-rounder of the Saints, has only managed to appear in 16 games total over the past two seasons. He's got 21 career receptions for 283 yards and one touchdown to his name in that time.
