IRVING, Texas -- Brice Butler had just made his first catch as a Cowboy, a 67-yarder in the Superdome that remains the longest completion this season by the Dallas offense.
Butler, acquired via trade the week after Dez Bryant broke his foot in the season opener, hurt his hamstring on the play against the Saints. He missed the remainder of the game and the following week against the Patriots.
Back to practice with a bye week of rest, Butler's speed would be a welcome addition for Cassel and the offense with or without Bryant in the lineup Sunday at the Giants.
Butler, a third-year veteran, already knew Cassel as a fellow former USC Trojan before this season. When Tony Romo fractured his collarbone in Week 2 against the Eagles, the 33-year-old Cassel got traded to the Cowboys in late September, a week after Butler did.
"I have a decent rapport with him from before he came in," Butler said. "You come into a new place and you don't really know everybody and then you find out he gets traded a week after you, it brings you some type of comfort or peace just in case he went in. And he's in now. I think we'll be fine."
After Bryant got hurt, the Cowboys worked out several receivers but didn't sign any of them to the roster. Instead, they traded for Butler who, at 6-3, 213 pounds, has ideal size and presents a vertical threat on the outside.
Brandon Weeden could have used his help against the Patriots. Now it appears Butler will be an option for Cassel this Sunday.
"I think he was doing a good job (before the injury)," Garrett said of Butler. "He was someone who, with the absence of Dez, gives us a weapon down the field. He's a good young player. He has some tools."
Butler felt he was finding a rhythm in the offense by the New Orleans game, his third appearance with the offense.
"I had a sense that it was about to start rolling," he said. "So now it's just picking up where I left off."