The Dallas Cowboys will likely have Jason Witten starting in Week 3 after dealing with injuries against the Eagles, as the tight end practiced on Thursday for the Falcons matchup. If Witten can't go, Gavin Escobar is a fantasy replacement option, while players like Terrance Williams, Lance Dunbar, Cole Beasley and Joseph Randle could be fantasy sleeper picks.
The Cowboys are hoping that Witten can play, as the team is already down Tony Romo and Dez Bryant for a long stretch with injuries. Romo will be out for at least two months, while Bryant could be back sooner, but some reports have him out for at least 10 weeks with a foot injury. Witten has been dealing with two ankle injuries and a knee issue this week and he is looking to play on Sunday. Witten has not missed a game in a decade basically and he is a key player for the Cowboys offense.
According to Pro Football Talk, Witten was able to practice on Wednesday and he also was active in practice for the team on Thursday. Despite those injuries, Witten looks like he will be ready to go after not having setbacks while practicing this week. Witten is as durable and consistent as any player in the NFL and with Romo and Bryant out, he is going to try as hard as he can to get on the field on Sunday. Brandon Weeden is starting for Romo and having Witten as a security blanket could be huge for the team against the Falcons.
Witten has had a solid start to the season already with 15 catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns and he said earlier in the week that he would be "fine" for Week 3. The Cowboys have a major drop-off at tight end after Witten, as Gavin Escobar is the likely player to step in if he can't go. While Escobar has the size and the potential to be a good tight end in the NFL, he does not have much experience and has only put up 18 catches in the last two seasons. Escobar has four catches for 24 yards and one touchdown already this season and the Cowboys are hoping that they do not have to insert him into the starting lineup this week for Witten.
With Witten practicing this week, it's looking much more likely than not that he will play on Sunday. Having Witten on the field is big for Weeden, for fantasy owners and also for players like Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley and running backs Randle and Darren McFadden. Without Witten, the defense could zero in on the receivers since Dez Bryant is also out and that could make it a tough day for Weeden on offense. If Witten is on the field, the Cowboys have the chance to stretch things and they likely will focus on Williams and the rushing attack against the Falcons.
Dunbar has been off to a good start for the Cowboys and he is worth using for PPR league owners this week. Weeden likely will be pressured quite a bit after the way the Falcons played last week and being able to dump off to Witten, Dunbar or Randle could be a huge security blanket for the QB.