Jerry puts positive spin on Witten injury

Published Aug. 16, 2012 3:47 p.m. ET

foxsports

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Wednesday that he doesn't second-guess his coaching staff for how much Jason Witten played in the preseason opener.

Witten, who is out for the remainder of the preseason, suffered a lacerated spleen during the first half of Monday night's game against Oakland.

Between the Witten injury and an offensive line that continues to struggle, some would probably like to see the Cowboys sit quarterback Tony Romo for Saturday's preseason game against San Diego. But Jones said Romo will play in that contest and get "about 10-12 snaps."

Witten's injury occurred late in the first quarter but he returned and played another series in the second quarter.

Instead of focusing on losing one of the franchise's top players for an uncertain amount of time, Jones searched to find a positive spin.

"I'm glad they're happening now rather than in the season," Jones said. "That's a good thing, that if they're going to happen, happen now. That's the way I look at it. We all know that can happen at any time.

"We need to be ready if something like this happened in the season. This is good practice time. Let's practice how to do it (in case) you didn't have (Witten) for some time in the season."

Jones added that not having Witten at tight end, "gives some of these wide receivers a good opportunity to show up in these preseason games."

Cowboys starting wideouts Miles Austin and Dez Bryant have dealt with hamstring issues during training camp. Austin did not play in the preseason opener. The Cowboys continue to have a battle for the No.3 receiver spot. Kevin Ogletree, Andre Holmes and Cole Beasley seem to be the leaders in that competition.

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