IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys traded for receiver Brice Butler in mid-September hoping he could deliver speed to the offense with Dez Bryant currently sidelined.
They indeed saw speed in Butler's third game Sunday at New Orleans, when he caught a 67-yard pass from Brandon Weeden down the left sideline – the offense's longest completion of the season – and he believed he would have scored if not for a hamstring injury that slowed him down on the play.
Instead of the end zone, the Cowboys continued the drive from the Saints' 9-yard line and wound up kicking a field goal in their eventual 26-20 overtime loss.
Butler didn't play another snap Sunday after his first catch as a Cowboy. Asked Tuesday about his timetable for a return, he deferred to the Cowboys' medical staff but said, "I'll get back ready as soon as possible."
Head coach Jason Garrett listed Butler as day-to-day in his Monday press conference. If Butler can't play Sunday against the Patriots, the upcoming bye week will give him some extra recovery time.
The good news is Butler is getting more and more comfortable with the offensive system.
"I know a pretty good grasp to go out there and play the game," he said. "I've always said when it comes to football I learn everything very quickly. It's what I love to do."
