With Bryant Out, Ogletree Gets Chance
IRVING (AP) - Kevin Ogletree no longer will be the forgotten receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. At least for the rest of this season.
Before Dez Bryant was drafted last spring, Ogletree had been viewed as an up-and-coming receiver in Dallas. But Ogletree had basically been an afterthought with Bryant's dazzling rookie performance this season.
With Bryant done because of a broken right ankle, Ogletree will get his chance to get back in the mix for the Cowboys (4-8) as a receiver and on special teams for the final four games, starting Sunday against the Eagles.
"There's definitely an opportunity for something to happen," Ogletree said Wednesday. "I don't know if it's for me to showcase my ability. If I get that chance, I'll do the best that I can do. Just being in the game and trying to help my team excites me. I'll be all excited for that time, and it's coming soon."
The Cowboys on Wednesday put Bryant on injured reserve, officially ending his season two days after he had surgery. Dallas signed linebacker Kenwin Cummings to its active roster from the New York Jets practice squad.
Ogletree has played in only five games this season, and had been inactive for seven in a row before being on the active roster for Sunday's overtime victory at Indianapolis.
There has been only one pass thrown his way this year, an incompletion in the season opener. He has returned two kickoffs, one for 15 yards and the other for 13 yards.
After Bryant got hurt in the Indianapolis game, owner Jerry Jones talked about what a setback it was. Jones then talked about the good news being the depth at receiver and Ogletree getting more playing time.
"It is an opportunity for Kevin Ogletree to get back into the mix a little bit," interim coach Jason Garrett said. "Kevin's played better on special teams and did a nice job (Sunday) in the ball game, and he'll have an opportunity to continue to grow as an offensive receiver."
Ogletree, the only rookie free agent to make the Cowboys roster last year, bypassed his senior season at Virginia after 58 catches for 723 yards and five touchdowns as a junior in 2008. He missed all the previous season with a knee injury.
Cowboys quarterback Jon Kitna said he will be as confident throwing the ball to Ogletree as he was to Bryant.
"He's got a lot of ability," Kitna said. "Unfortunately he's in a place where we're pretty rich at receiver, so he hasn't gotten a lot of opportunities. But he's done well when he's gotten them, especially last year. I expect more from him this year."
Plus, Kitna has had plenty of opportunities to throw to Ogletree on the practice field since the receiver arrived. Until Tony Romo got hurt earlier this year, Kitna's only passes his previous 1 1/2 seasons in Dallas had come in preseason games and at practice.
"We've played together ever since both of us got here," Kitna said. "I'm a big fan of his, so I don't worry about him at all."
Ogletree, who had seven catches late last season, knew coming into this year that there would be games he wouldn't dress because he was behind Roy Williams, Miles Austin and Bryant.
"I've learned a lot about myself, just putting a lot of things in perspective," Ogletree said of his second NFL season. "As far as where I'm at in my football career, my second year, there's going to be some bumps. But the guys that stick around have all said it's part of that deal. You have to grow. It's a process, and I'm enjoying this process and this road with my teammates."
Austin described Ogletree as a "big-time competitor" who is fast and physical.
"Mentally, just being a competitor, he definitely has what it takes to play receiver and play a lot," Austin said. "Obviously Dez being down is a big blow. But I think Kevin is one of those guys who can fill that void."
And no longer be forgotten.
Notes: CB Orlando Scandrick, who sustained a concussion against the Colts, said he is preparing this week as if he will play Sunday night against Philadelphia. Garrett said Scandrick should be good to go, though the defender was held out of practice Wednesday. ... The Cowboys released DE Jeremy Clark and claimed DE Clifton Geathers, who was released from Miami's practice squad Nov. 26. TE Jason Pociask, who was in training camp with the Cowboys, was added to the practice squad.
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