Since most of what we do around here is viewed through the fantasy prism, I’m a little conflicted about Jason Witten’s game-time decision being a positive one for those who own him, myself included. From a fantasy perspective, Witten being active is clearly a chance for us to claim victory over an early-season injury scare.
From a reality perspective, it seems stupid, and maybe even a little barbaric.
When an internal organ is injured, there are concerns far beyond football. Jerry Jones and Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett made that much clear when Jason Witten left Dallas’ preseason game against Oakland with a lacerated spleen.
The recovery timetable was uncertain at first, although it seemed likely that the tight end who has only missed one game throughout his entire nine-year career would miss another one on Sept. 5. The question, however, was if he would miss anything more than that, and if the injury would require surgery.
In a word, no. Just no.
The Cowboys were already experiencing enough pain while watching Tony Romo and his fruitless efforts to remain stationary in the pocket for several nano seconds during their preseason opener Monday night. But that wasn’t literal pain, although the sieve quality of Dallas’ offensive line could soon lead to bones protruding from skin. Like, say, a punctured lung.
But now the pain from that pounding has taken a literal form, as tight end Jason Witten is reportedly set to miss significant time with a spleen injury.
