Laurent

Robinson

Signed as veteran depth while Miles Austin nursed a hamstring injury, Robinson went down with a hamstring issue of his own last week. He’ll likely catch on elsewhere as an injury fill-in once he’s back to full health.

With Miles Austin (hamstring) out, Robinson is coming aboard for depth. He’ll be insurance in case the likes of Kevin Ogletree, Jesse Holley and Dwayne Harris struggle.

The sides can talk, but Robinson can’t sign on the dotted line until free agency begins. The salary benefit allowed Robinson to count $463,000 against last year’s cap despite his $685,000 salary. The Titans have the same dilemma with free agent S Jordan Babineaux. This may increase the chances that Robinson signs elsewhere, especially if he likes what he sees on the market.

Due to a technicality with Robinson’s 2011 contract, the Cowboys can’t re-sign the receiver before the market opens on March 13. Considering his injury history, Dallas may be able to bring him back at a reasonable price in a deep wide receiver market.

A wide receiver market than once looked exceptionally deep took a hit with re-signings, leaving the second tier to draw immediate free agent interest. Robinson apparently has the size, physicality, and red-zone chops to make up for his checkered injury history. The Cowboys are expected to try to keep him in Dallas as well.

As the one time journeyman should do, he’s following the money. “I love it in Dallas and I had great success here last year,” Robinson said. “I’m going to feel them out and see what’s going on. It’s a business decision, and if it’s here, it’s here. If it’s not, it’s not.” With the free agent receiver market rapidly thinning, Robinson is going to get priced out of the Cowboys’ range.

Both teams are pushing hard to keep Robinson out of Jacksonville, but the Jaguars are still scheduled to be his first visit. NFL Network’s Albert Breer adds that the Chargers are in the mix as well. The Jets are reportedly “kicking the tires” on Robinson as well. The early interest in Robinson doesn’t bode well for the Cowboys’ chances of retaining him.

“He’s going to be a quality free agent signing,” tweets beat writer Manish Mehta. “It just won’t be with the Jets.” Robinson is being pursued by the Jaguars, Cardinals, Cowboys, and Chargers. The Jets don’t any part of a bidding war for a second- or third-tier receiver.

Robinson is now one of the crown jewels of a receiver market that was rapidly pillaged Tuesday, and is drawing interest from the Dolphins, Jaguars, Jets and Cowboys in addition to the 49ers. He’d be a younger, though possibly more expensive, alternative to Brandon Lloyd.

In other words, the Jaguars are prepared to satisfy Robinson’s contract demands. The only issue is if Robinson is prepared to play in Jacksonville. We suspect the sides will hammer out a deal, as the Miami Herald previously reported Robinson was only interested in visiting the Dolphins if a contract couldn’t be squared away with the Jags.