IRVING -- Here's some highlights of the first day of the mandatory minicamp at Valley Ranch.
*Miles Austin signed his first-and-third round tender offer, worth $3.168 million. Earlier in the day, Austin asked for some press and he's getting it now. The Cowboys will work on a long-term deal for Austin but are in no rush. The team has signed 12 of the 13 restricted free agents with kicker Shaun Suisham the only player not receiving a tender.
*Dez Bryant missed the morning session of the mandatory minicamp but returned for the second practice and should make both sessions on Saturday. Bryant is running hard and doesn't appear to have any problems cutting on his left leg. The team trainers wanted to give Bryant an extra day of rest before sending him back onto the field. He missed Wednesday's and Thursday's organized team activities due to the hamstring.
*Keith Brooking (knee) and Jay Ratliff (elbow) returned to practices after recovering from offseason surgeries. Brooking only practiced in the morning while Ratliff made both sessions. It will go the same way on Saturday.
*Mat McBriar said he will return as the holder. He lost the job to Tony Romo with four games remaining in the 2009 regular season when kicker Nick Folk expressed frustration with McBriar. But with Folk gone, the team is asking David Buehler to become the field goal kicker. McBriar said things are going fine in practice as the holder.
*Wade Phillips said backup cornerbacks (Cletis Gordon, Marquis Floyd, Jamar Wall and Bryan McCann) have been "up and down." The Cowboys are looking for a fourth corner on their roster.
*Left guard Kyle Kosier saw some first-team snaps at center. With Kosier at center, Montrae Holland moved in at left guard. Also seeing time at center is Travis Bright and Phil Costa.
*During several 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, the Cowboys mixed their inside linebackers between Bradie James, Sean Lee, Jason Williams and Brooking. During one 11-on-11, James, Lee, Brooking were the inside linebackers with DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer the outside linebackers.
*Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (shoulder), Orlando Scandrick (finger) and Stephen Hodge (knee) missed both practices. Sandrick said the splint on his left index finger gets off June 28 and he should be ready for training camp. Owusu-Ansah will start lifting weights next week.
*Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he will speak with reporters on Saturday. Also, the second practice will be held at Cowboys Stadium. ... The second-team tackles are Alex Barron (left) and Robert Brewster (right). ... Jason Hatcher got some first-team reps at defensive end over Igor Olshansky.