Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, who suffered a lacerated spleen in a preseason game against the Raiders on August 13, has recovered sufficiently that he will play as the NFL opens its regular season tonight against the Giants.
NBC’s Michelle Tafoya reports that Witten is playing. Witten said the doctors cleared him and he’s feeling fine, although he will wear protective gear as a precaution.
Witten, who has played in 139 consecutive regular-season games, was reportedly so eager to play that he offered to sign a waiver absolving the Cowboys and their doctors of any liability if he were to play and do further damage to his spleen -- an offer the Cowboys declined.
So Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will have his favorite target on the field, and the Cowboys’ offense will be at full strength against the defending champions.
UPDATE 7:21 p.m. ET: The Cowboys’ inactives are S Matt Johnson, G David Arkin, TE Colin Cochart, NT Jay Ratliff, CB Mike Jenkins, S Danny McCray and LB Kyle Wilber. The Giants’ inactives are CB Prince Amukamara, OT James Brewer, DT Marvin Austin, WR Jerrel Jernigan, RB Da’Rel Scott, DE Adewale Ojomo and G Mitch Petrus.