TE Witten has injured spleen
OXNARD, Calif. — Jason Witten is going to have to get used to not doing much of anything if he wants to play in the season opener next month.
Dal l a s Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said Wednesday that his Pro Bowl tight end suffered a “slightly lacerated” spleen in the preseason opener Monday night against Oakland. The best way for Witten, a former University of Tennessee standout, to heal is to remain as inactive as possible.
“It’s a very serious injury and we’re really taking this thing day by day,” Garrett said. “He has to be very still and idle for the next week to 10 days, so you won’t see him out here on the practice field. He won’t play in the game this week or next week. We’ve just got to make sure he heals as well as possible, as quickly as possible.”
Witten is expected to miss the rest of the preseason, starting with Saturday ’s game at San Diego. The Cowboys open the season in three weeks at the defending Super Bowl champ New York Giants.
The coach said doctors will reassess Witten next week “after we’ve had a few days of him not doing anything.” Surgery would be an option if the spleen isn’t healing by then.
Witten apparently got hurt after he caught a pass from a scrambling Tony Romo and was immediately hit from the side by Oakland linebacker Rolando McClain. The play resulted in a 2-yard loss.
DEVELOPMENTS
Harrison has surgery: Pittsburgh Steelers line- backer James Harrison underwent surgery on his left knee Wednesday and his return is uncertain.
The 34-year- old Harrison has been struggling with lingering pain in the knee for months. Coach Mike Tomlin called it a “minor” procedure but added he’s not ready to put a timetable on when Harrison will be cleared to play.
Bentley settles with Browns: Former Pro Bowl center LeCharles Bentley has settled his lawsuit against the Cleveland Browns, the team he signed with before suffering a career-ending knee injury that was complicated by a staph infection.
Bentley agreed to an out- of- court settlement after meeting with Browns owner Randy Lerner.
Broncos DE out: Denver Broncos defensive end Jason Hunter had surgery on his torn triceps Wednesday and is out for four months.
Coach John Fox also said that right guard Chris Kuper had surgery on his broken left forearm and is out four to six weeks.
Bronco linebacker convicted on traffic charge: Jurors convicted Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams on Wednesday of driving while ability-impaired and driving without headlights.
Williams was charged with driving under the influence and traffic charges but the jury returned the lesser verdicts after a trial that lasted less than a day.
Williams already is facing a six-game suspension for failing an offseason drug test.
Williams left court with his attorney without commenting. He wasn’t immediately sentenced.