Jason Garrett: Mat McBriar battled

January, 24, 2012
Jan 24
5:31
PM CT
MOBILE, Ala. -- In a seven-minute news briefing at the Senior Bowl on Tuesday, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett was asked about his standout punter, Mat McBriar.

Last season, McBriar was placed on injured reserve prior to the last regular-season game at the New York Giants because of a nerve problem in his left (non-kicking) foot.

McBriar finished the season with a net punting average of 36.1 and landed 21 punts inside the 20. He also had seven touchbacks. McBriar's best game was holding Arizona Cardinals standout returner Patrick Peterson to just one return yard Dec. 4.

The Cowboys have a decision to make with McBriar regarding his health. He's an unrestricted free agent, and while valued by the organization, there is uncertainty about when his foot will get better.

"We haven't gotten into specific discussions about any of our individual players, but health is certainly an issue for him," Garrett said. "He did an outstanding job dealing with that injury throughout the year. He was tough. He battled through it and had some big games for us and ultimately at the end of the year he couldn't function the way we needed him to."

Rookie Chris Jones took over for McBriar for the last regular season game.
Calvin Watkins joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He's covered the Cowboys since 2006 and also has covered colleges, boxing and high school sports.

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