NFL Rumors: Jason Witten May Miss Season Opener
One of the issues in training camp for the Dallas Cowboys has been the rash of injuries that have occurred. Before today there weren’t many of those injuries that were considered too serious, but that changed when news came that tight end Jason Witten has a spleen injury. No surgery is needed at this point but it has not been ruled out as an option. He will be out for the remainder of the pre-season and the season opener, now just three weeks away, is in doubt.
Witten took a hard hit from the Oakland Raiders‘ Rolando McClain on the Cowboys second possession that left owner Jerry Jones holding his breath. Perhaps now is a good time to hold it once more in hopes of Witten not missing the opening game against the New York Giants.
Not only is Witten one of the most durable players the Cowboys have–he’s only missed one game in his career due to a broken jaw his rookie year–but he’s also one of their toughest. I’m sure no one forgets Witten taking a big hit in Philadelphia against the Eagles on Sunday night a few years ago and continuing to run down the field without his helmet.
This could be a huge blow to the Cowboys offense because Witten is a big part of the passing game; a passing game that is still looking for a number three wide receiver. And by the way, the Cowboys starting duo of Miles Austin and Dez Bryant are each being hampered by hamstring injuries, although Bryant seems fine. Tony Romo‘s top three targets are all limited right now. Not good.
To make matters worse, the Cowboys only have two healthy tight ends right now, rookies James Hanna and Andrew Szczerba. The Cowboys’ backup tight end John Phillips, has been out over a week with an ankle injury. The receiver options for this team right now are brutal and perhaps now is the time to bring in another tight end or wide receiver.
The silver lining, if you can find one (which I did since you’re about to read it), is that the season is three weeks away and Jason Witten is one tough son of a you know what and he likely won’t miss any regular season time. But it is the type of injury that can linger throughout a season and limit what a player can do.
Martellus Bennett anyone? Joking.
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