T.Y. Hilton gives Dallas Cowboys immediate help; Jerry Jones still drawn to Beckham

Even after the signing of veteran receiver T.Y. Hilton to a one-year deal on Monday, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones refuses to let go of his courtship of receiver Odell Beckham.

The biggest reason the Cowboys added Hilton, 33, a four-time Pro Bowler, is because he is healthy and available to play now.

Beckham, 30, a three-time Pro Bowler who suffered a torn ACL in the Super Bowl in February with the Los Angeles and has been idle since, won’t be ready to play until the postseason in January.

“Of course, we wouldn’t have been interested in Odell had he not had the kind of talent that certainly can last to the spring so to speak,” Jones said on his radio show on 105.3 The Fan Tuesday. “But I think it’s fair to say he’s an outstanding receiver. He’s not ready to play today. That’s important, but he will be ready come spring, and he’s a receiver that I think would fit any team. I want to easily say there’s going to be continued interest in Odell.”

Is if fair to say that he won’t be on the Cowboys this season?

“No, I wouldn’t go that far, if you’ll include the playoffs,” Jones said.

As of now, Hilton is the receiver of record joining the Cowboys with four games left in the season and tasked with responsibility of boosting their hopes for a long playoff run.

His experience, speed and ability to play immediately should serve the team well, per Jones.

“I would say that he’s got that step, but he also brings a ton of experience,” Jones said. “That’s big, real big. Because we want him to step in immediately, and these guys have played a lot of football in the NFL have a good chance of doing that. He’s seen the kinds of routes that we’re going to run. He has seen them time and time again in the NFL. So, I think he’s a real pickup for us that will frankly hit the ground running and immediately give us some help.”

Hilton played the first 10 years of his career with the Indianapolis Colts and was known for his speed and big-play ability. That is what they Cowboys are looking for to help supplement a receiver corps led by CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup.

“I think that we have continued to look for a speed element, being able to have a player that can give those secondaries something else to think about out there as our core base of receivers are basically doing their thing,” Jones said. “And he does that. He’s a receiver that the defense will have to honor. So, I’m glad — glad is not the word for it. I’m excited he’s available.”

Hilton has a career average of 15.4 yards per catch. He has 149 touchdowns of 20 or more yards and 42 touchdowns of 40 or more yards.