When Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones was informing rookie cornerback Morris Claiborne that “can’t make the club from the tub,” he used tight end Jason Witten’s willingness to play through injuries as an example for the youngster to follow.
It’s a good example, since Witten has only missed one game in his career despite a laundry list of injuries. His current injury, a lacerated spleen, isn’t one that he can grind through, though. Doctors have told him he must remain idle for 7-10 days before an evaluation to see how he’s healing and determine whether or not he’ll have to have surgery.
Witten hopes to avoid an operation, obviously, and said that he can’t imagine not playing in the opener against the Giants on Sept. 5. He also said that the pain is about the same as a broken rib, an injury that Witten has played through in the past and that’s making it hard for him to deal with being inactive for the next stretch.
“It’s different,” Witten said, via Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. “It’s not something you can just fight through and dig deep. But it’s hard. It’s the first time for me to be in this situation. I’m staying optimistic and staying positive. We’re all hopeful to get the results we’re looking for.”
While Witten must rest for the next week or so, there’s no firm idea about when he’ll be able to get back on the field. If he isn’t able to make it back for that opening game against the Giants, it will be a severe blow to the Cowboys offense.