IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys elected to keep undrafted wide receiver Andre Holmes, who has yet to catch a pass in an NFL regular-season game, over fifth-round pick wide receiver Danny Coale.

It wasn't a hard decision given Coale had only one offseason practice due to a broken toe and endured various other injuries, including one to his hamstring when training camp practices started.

Holmes was inconsistent during practices and preseason games, but you could tell the Cowboys valued his upside. Holmes' height (6-4) makes him a big target, especially on high throws.

At some point Saturday, the Cowboys hope to bring Coale back to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

"We liked Danny Coale a lot, that's why we drafted him," coach Jason Garrett said Saturday morning. "Unfortunately with a couple of our younger players we didn't get a chance to see him very much. He had a foot injury in the spring, I think he had only one OTA practice and then all through training camp he was dealing with a foot or a (hamstring) or whatever it was. He didn't play that much. He's been playing the last couple of weeks so it was harder for him to make his case."

It's the second consecutive year the Cowboys have released a fifth-round pick. Last year, cornerback Josh Thomas was let go. The 2009 draft was the last time a fifth-rounder made the squad in kicker David Buehler and safety Michael Hamlin.

Only Orlando Scandrick, a fifth-rounder in 2008, has become a regular contributor to the team from that draft spot in the last few years.