Where’s the catch? Cowboys’ WRs not what they used to be

FRISCO, Texas — Beyonce brought Dez Bryant and Jerry Jones together for a night, but she may not be powerful enough to actually bring the wide receiver back to AT&T Stadium in a Cowboys uniform.

Bryant remains a free agent after getting cut in April, and while the Cowboys didn’t bring in any marquee names to replace him or retired tight end Jason Witten, their big-time receiving threats are not walking back through that door.

“You’ve heard me say it many times: Dez has been a great player for this organization for a long time,” head coach Jason Garrett said Wednesday when asked about the Beyonce-concert reunion in Jones’ suite. “He made a big impact during his time here and we wish him nothing but the best.”

Garrett said he did not join Bryant and Jones at the concert, but instead was likely trying to figure out how he can get his current group of receivers in tune with quarterback Dak Prescott. The Cowboys offense was anemic for much of Sunday’s loss to the Panthers, accounting for just 232 yards overall, 138 through the air.

Prescott completed passes to seven different targets, with Cole Beasley (three receptions, 73 yards) leading the way from the slot. Terrance Williams, who was third behind Bryant and Witten in receptions last season, hauled in one pass for 6 yards.

The new crew of receivers includes veterans Tavon Austin, Deonte Thompson, Allen Hurns and rookie Michael Gallup, but there could be some growing pains to sort out.

“We’re not Dez and we’re not Witten,” Beasley said. “We’re a different group and the strength is within the group, not within any two players or one player.”

Garrett said they want to get Austin — the former Rams speedster — more involved after he played just 10 snaps Sunday. He was not targeted at all and took only one carry for 1 yard.

“We feel like he can be a guy that can be a playmaker for us if we get the ball in his hands,” Garrett said.

Hurns is the former Jaguars deep threat who caught 10 touchdowns in 2015, Thompson has largely been a journeyman and Gallup is still getting his feet wet after being the Cowboys’ thirdround pick in April.

“No burden on our end,” Hurns said. “We watched film [Tuesday], and as far as the receivers, I think we did a pretty good job as far as blocking in the run game and also pass game.”