ARLINGTON, Texas - Two first quarter catches into Saturday's preseason game against the Rams, and Dwayne Harris likely cemented a spot on the Cowboys' roster.
A different receiver seems to separate himself every practice and every game this preseason. Saturday was no exception, as Harris hauled in two passes from Tony Romo for 99 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter.
Harris, who led all receivers with 118 yards, has three touchdown catches this preseason. No other Cowboys receiver has scored.
"I think it was a pretty good game for myself," Harris said. "I give the credit to Tony and the [offensive] line. Without them blocking for Tony, and then Tony throwing the ball to me, I couldn't have made the plays I made."
Harris got behind the defense for his first touchdown reception on a 61-yard bomb, which gave the Cowboys a 10-0 lead.
His second touchdown occurred on a crossing pattern. He caught the pass along the sidelines, squeezed between two defenders, sprinted and dove into the end zone for a 38-yard score.
Harris said the Cowboys practice a drill every day where he has to split two defenders, so it was second nature to him when he entered the game.
"Catching my first touchdown pass from Tony, it felt great," Harris said. Then coming again on the second one – you can't ask for two, but I got two. It felt great."
With Dez Bryant and Miles Austin both held out, Harris, Kevin Ogletree and Cole Beasley all stepped up to receive the majority of the Cowboys' 287 receiving yards in the first half.
Through two preseason games, Harris had five catches for 55 yards and a touchdown. After Ogletree and Beasley separated themselves in past weeks, Harris thrived with the first-team offense Saturday, catching Romo's attention in the process.
"Dwayne did a good job," Romo said. "It's never been about the big things for Dwayne. It's just about the little things. If he gets the little things down, he's got a chance to really help our football team."
Harris said he's not worried about who the coaches decide to be the third receiver when the regular season begins. With Bryant and Austin on the sidelines, he just wants his coaches to know one thing.
"That I can come out and make plays, too," Harris said.
