Confident Jerry Jones content to 'give these young guys the incentive' to take spots in Dallas Cowboys' depleted receiver unit

OXNARD, Calif. — In the aftermath of losing James Washington to a fractured right foot, the Dallas Cowboys will not pursue any veteran wide receivers available in free agency, like Odell Beckham Jr. or Emmanuel Sanders, or look to add one through a potential trade.

At least for the moment.

«Let's give these young guys the incentive, our young receivers,» owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. «We thought highly of them when we came out. We'll get [Washington] rehabbed… But it doesn't create an urgency for us to add a veteran receiver. We like these young guys.»

Washington, who had surgery Tuesday, is scheduled to miss 6-10 weeks, according to multiple sources. Michael Gallup is continuing to rehab from a torn left ACL suffered last January and is set to miss at least the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

CeeDee Lamb and Noah Brown are the only wide receivers to have caught a pass from Dak Prescott in a regular-season game. While Lamb had a 1,000-yard season and was named to the Pro Bowl last season, Brown has 39 catches in four seasons. Lamb is the only receiver with a touchdown catch.

«We talk about growth, we talk about draft and develop, here it is,» coach Mike McCarthy said «This is what it's all about. Each and every team that I've ever been the head coach of, there's always some level of projection and growth that has to occur, so the only way to get there is through these training camp practices. So you don't wait until the preseason games to start that process. You don't wait to give them opportunities really in the season. So this is what it looks like. It's unfortunate that James was injured, but it's really opportunity for these young players to step up.»

Beyond Lamb and Brown, the Cowboys