IRVING, Texas — The crucial question of whether Jason Witten will face the Giants on Wednesday was the talk of Cowboys camp yesterday.
The verdict: No one knows for sure. Still.
Tony Romo is confident a lacerated spleen isn’t going to keep his security blanket of a tight end from suiting up against Big Blue at MetLife Stadium, with the quarterback telling reporters “from what I know” Witten will indeed play.
But Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Witten himself aren’t so sure, saying it will depend on the results of a CT scan tomorrow even though the Dallas ironman — who has missed just one game in his nine-year NFL career — practiced on a limited basis again yesterday for the second straight day.
Witten, in fact, all but listed himself as doubtful for the nationally televised season-opener.
Asked after yesterday’s practice if he is optimistic about playing, the seven-time Pro Bowl selection said: “I wouldn’t say optimistic, just because right now, it’s been a tough challenge to get to that point. ‘Optimistic’ would be if it was in my hands and my control. So no, from that standpoint.”
John Phillips, a regular reserve and four-year veteran, would likely get the start if Witten’s streak of 139 consecutive games comes to an end. Phillips has usually seen the field only when the Cowboys go to formations using two tight ends.
Witten’s downbeat comments came after Romo had startled reporters by proclaiming his confidence Witten would play, just 22 days after lacerating his spleen in the exhibition opener against the Raiders.
The spleen wasn’t ruptured, but it still is an injury that usually requires a four-to-six-week rehab. Then again, Witten — who once ran 30 yards after a catch after losing his helmet against the Eagles — also is by far one of the sport’s toughest players.
“The good thing is, [Witten] has been out here [at practice], so for me, it’s kind of exciting to know that we’re probably going to have him in the game,” Romo said. “That’s something that’s important.”
Pressed on if he intended to say Witten would go, Romo nodded affirmatively.
“From what I know, I think he’s going to [play],” Romo said. “He’s been out here practicing, and he’s in my ear about all the plays.”
Witten agreed — but only if he is cleared after the CT scan results come back.
“If I get cleared, I’m playing,” he said. “It’s the only way, I believe, you can approach the game. People know that’s the only way I’m playing. This is what you play for. It’s an opportunity, especially where we’re at and how much work we’ve put into this situation.”
The Giants can only cross their fingers Witten is held out, because he has been a thorn for Tom Coughlin’s team throughout his career. In 18 career appearances against Big Blue, Witten has 81 catches for 923 yards (an 11.4-yard average) and six touchdowns. Only the Eagles have endured more Witten TDs (seven).
Witten also is a crucial part of a Cowboys offense that also is dealing with nagging injuries to its other playmakers, wideouts Miles Austin (hamstring) and Dez Bryant (knee) and running back DeMarco Murray (wrist).
Austin, Bryant and Murray all practiced full yesterday, leaving Jones and the Cowboys to cross their fingers about Witten’s visit with the imaging machine tomorrow.
“Had he not been practicing well, had he not been feeling good, then that would have dictated probably [not] doing that [CT] scan,” Jones said yesterday. “But the way he’s doing right now, you probably do something like that.”