He played college football for the Monmouth Hawks, where he set the school's record for receiving yards.

Signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2006, Austin spent eight seasons with the team and was named to two Pro Bowls.

He pursued a coaching career following his retirement, serving as an offensive assistant with the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets from 2019 to 2022.

Also a standout athlete, Austin was on the school's track & field team, where he was a top competitor in the sprinting, jumping and throwing events.

[9] Austin was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2006 by the Dallas Cowboys, making him the first player from Monmouth to appear in the NFL.

Austin was the team's main kickoff returner, ranking third in the NFC and ninth in the league with a 25.5 average on 24 attempts for 612 yards.

Austin had a strong training camp and was contending for the starting position that was open with the departure of Terry Glenn, until spraining his knee in the third preseason game against the Houston Texans.

During free agency, the New York Jets looked at Austin but did not offer him a contract, possibly because they would have had to give the Cowboys a second-round draft pick in order to sign him.

[14] Austin got his first NFL start on October 11, 2009, against the Kansas City Chiefs, as a replacement for injured Roy Williams.

Austin made his second career start on October 25 against the Atlanta Falcons replacing Patrick Crayton as the No.

After having a disappointing season, Austin started 2012 with 4 receptions for 73 yards while also grabbing a key touchdown in the 4th quarter of a 24–17 upset win over the Super Bowl defending champions New York Giants.

In the fourth game against the Chicago Bears, he had 4 receptions for 57 yards while also grabbing a touchdown in a losing effort caused by the Cowboys' 5 interceptions.

After being shut down by the team in an effort to return him to health, he did not have another reception until a Week 12 victory over the New York Giants.

Austin finished with his lowest receiving numbers since his second year in the league and his future with the team at risk, taking into account his history of hamstring injuries and rookie Terrance Williams playing well in his absence.

On March 11, 2014, it was announced that Austin had been designated as a post-June 1 release, ending his tenure as a Dallas Cowboy.

[22] Needing to improve their depth at wide receiver after Josh Gordon's suspension, the Cleveland Browns signed him as a free agent on May 15, 2014.

Aside from Frisman Jackson briefly wearing 19 in 2004, the number hadn't been issued by the Browns since Bill Belichick controversially cut Kosar in the middle of the 1993 season.

On March 31, 2015, Austin and the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth $2.3 million.

[24] Austin, who was projected to have a big role in a young and inexperienced wide receiver corps, was held to 13 catches for 224 yards and 1 touchdown in 11 games.

[30] In January 2018, Austin was interviewed for a role as the Cowboys wide receivers coach, which eventually went to Sanjay Lal.