JERSEY CITY, NJ — The news that Jason Witten is working on signing an "injury waiver'' in order to free him to play in Wednesday night's game at the Giants is news to the Dallas Cowboys.
"That's news to me,'' team vice president Stephen Jones tells Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan. "No, that's not in the cards.''
The Cowboys' All-Pro tight end is considered an ironman who — even with a broken jaw and broken ribs among his career injuries — has played in 139 consecutive games. That streak is threatened as the NFL season opens Wednesday with Witten pushing to play in the game despite his lacerated spleen.
The simple fact remains, however: He either does or does not have medical clearance to play. If doctors have given him clearance, he will attempt to participate against the Super Bowl champs. No clearance, no Witten.
A national report claims Witten has informed the team of his willingness to sign a medical waiver that would not hold the Cowboys or team doctors liable in case he re-injures his spleen. It's another chapter in The Legend of Witten . . . but it's not happening.
Witten might still play; the Cowboys call it a game-time decision, and we're left to decide for ourselves whether there is a cryptic hint there . . . but know that despite appearances, Witten didn't truly practice with the team all week in preparation for the Giants.
Howevere, regarding Witten's otherwise-undisclosed diagnosis, sources say Witten has been cleared to play in Week 2 at Seattle.
