A method for discontinuous transmission (DTX) signaling in a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) of a wireless communication system includes puncturing at least a portion of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) at a location that would collide with acknowledgement (ACK)/negative (ACK/NACK) feedback if ACK/NACK feedback is transmitted. The method also includes transmitting DTX symbols in the punctured portion of the PUSCH by a user equipment (UE). The method further includes detecting DTX symbols on the PUSCH by an evolved Node B (eNodeB), indicating the UE is operating according to a DTX signaling mode.