Crayton back at practice catching passes for Cowboys, after saying he wants out of Dallas

Crayton back with Cowboys after wanting out

IRVING, Texas — Patrick Crayton was back catching passes for the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, marking the first time on the field since indicating that he wanted to be released.

While Crayton still isn’t sure if he will be with the Cowboys when the season begins, he practiced after skipping the first three weeks of voluntary offseason workouts.

Crayton is under contract for about $2 million in 2010, but his role suddenly became minimized when the Cowboys drafted Dez Bryant in the first round in April.

“This is my thing, I’m not going to complain about things I can’t control,” Crayton said after practice. “If I go out there and give it my all, bust my tail and do what I’m capable of doing, I’ll be here. … If that’s the case when it comes down to it and the numbers get crunched and everything and I’m not here, I don’t know what to tell you.”

The receiver indicated during a radio interview while away that he wanted to have the opportunity to go to another team, but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has made it clear that he has no immediate plans to let Crayton go anywhere else.

Crayton said Tuesday that neither he nor his agent asked Jones for a trade or demanded to “let me go. We never once came forward with that at all.”

Bryant is likely to be among the Cowboys’ top three receivers with Roy Williams and Miles Austin, and the rookie wearing No. 88 also could return punts.

Crayton had 37 catches for 622 yards and five touchdowns last season, his sixth in the NFL — all with the Cowboys. He was also the team’s primary punt returner, averaging 12.1 yards per return with two TDs.

“Man, we’re in minicamp, no more questions about training camp or the future,” he said. “I can’t predict it, neither can you guys. Let’s not even talk about it.”

When Crayton got on the field Tuesday, he said Jones spoke to him for a “real quick minute” and asked if he felt in shape. The receiver responded that he was, and said afterward that he had no problems with conditioning despite the heat.

“He’s been working out and training, so he’s been doing everything he’s supposed to do,” receivers coach Ray Sherman said. “Yeah, he’s in shape, he’s lighter. … He’s a smart guy, he’s not going to make very many mistakes at all. He was pretty good today.”

Crayton said he weighed in at 205 pounds, about 10 pounds lighter than last summer.

Crayton had not been expected back until the mandatory minicamp this weekend. But he came back for the first of three voluntary workouts before the minicamp starts Friday.

“I’m always glad to be back with my teammates, back on this field,” he said. “It’s like your sanctuary, so it was a great feeling today to just get back out there, be able to run some routes, and put the jersey back on and the helmet on.”

Asked if he still wanted to be release, Crayton responded, “Right now, I’m not worried about being released.”

Bryant came out of the workout early Tuesday because of left hamstring tightness, but Crayton was still running plays with the second-team offense.

Neither Bryant or Sherman expressed any concern about the hamstring issue. Bryant said he planned to practice Wednesday.

“I started to work out and let (the trainer) know it was tight. He didn’t want to take any chances,” Bryant said. “It’s not frustrating at all. I’m just following orders.”

Coach Wade Phillips said it was good to have Crayton back on the field.

“It’s voluntary. I’m glad he volunteered to come back,” Phillips said. “He worked hard and did some good things. That’s what we expect, and I know that’s what he expects of himself. He going to give you everything he’s got when he’s out there for practice or a game.”