Former Cowboys WR Officially Retiring From the NFL

Former Cowboys WR Tavon Austin officially retired from the NFL on Tuesday, ending a nine-year career with a reputation as one of the league's most explosive playmakers.

While the former first-round pick didn't live up to his immense potential coming out of West Virginia, Austin will be remembered as an exciting player with the ball in his hands and an adept returner.

He spent 2018 and 2019 with Dallas, last playing in the NFL in 2021 with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Cowboys News: Former Dallas WR Tavon Austin Announces Retirement

During Austin's two seasons as a Cowboy, he compiled 21 catches for 317 yards and three TDs along with 12 rushes for 104 yards and another score. He was the team's leading punt returner during that span, though injuries cost him roughly half of his games in a Dallas uniform.

He's been out of the league since that 2021 campaign, so Austin's retirement doesn't come as a surprise. Nonetheless, it's a big announcement for a player regarded as one of the era's defining college athletes.

Austin didn't make much of a contribution in Dallas and wouldn't have fit into the organization's current roster plans. His best years came as a Ram, losing some of his otherworldly speed and dynamic athleticism to the unfortunate injuries he suffered throughout his career.

Despite never being named to a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team, Austin will be remembered in the hearts of football fans. He had immense promise that wasn't fully realized as a Cowboy, yet still became a fan-favorite during his two-year stint with America's Team.

We wish Austin well in his future endeavors and salute to an era-defining athlete that helped usher in a new generation of football fans.

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