A two-game fill-in for the injured Mat McBriar last season, Chris Jones is still the only punter on the roster after the Cowboys did not draft a big leg to compete with Jones or sign a top punter in rookie free agency.
However, the team will look at one other option in this weekend's rookie minicamp, as former Idaho State punter David Harrington is among the players who will practice with the new Cowboys on a tryout basis.
If Harrington performs well, he could sign a contract and come to camp with the team. McBriar, who had offseason surgery to address the foot condition that bothered him for most of 2011, remains a free agent.
Harrington is the top punter in Big Sky Conference history, averaging 46.3 yards per kick in his two years with the Bengals.
Jones averaged 42.6 yards per punt in his two appearances last year, with a net average of 40.5 yards. Jones, who attempted to take the job from McBriar last summer, was the Cowboys' first call when the veteran was injured. He said last week he expected to have some competition for his job by training camp.
"I've only been in this a year, but from my understanding, that's usually how it is each training camp," Jones said. "You just let them battle it out and see who comes out on top."
Since the season ended, special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis has expressed some optimism in the inexperienced Jones.
"I feel like he's got a lot of confidence in me and he's looking forward to this next year with me being around," Jones said. "I'm hoping that's the case, and I can pull through for him."
