The Dallas Cowboys are hoping to have Jason Witten in the starting lineup for Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons, as the team will already be without Tony Romo and Dez Bryant. The team is inserting La'el Collins into the starting lineup on Sunday on the offensive line for the rookie's first career start.
Witten is coming into Week 3 banged up after suffering ankle and knee injuries against the Falcons, but he is listed as probable for the game Sunday. According to ESPN Dallas, Witten said that he is "confident" that he will play in Week 3 and the tight end was able to practice during the week leading up to the game, which is a good sign that he could be active. Witten has not missed a game in nearly a decade and he has been a model of consistency for the Cowboys.
The team is already down Tony Romo and Dez Bryant for a long stretch and losing Witten would make things tough for Week 3. The Cowboys are 2-0 and leading the NFC East, but they are going to have to navigate things with Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel at the quarterback position for Romo. Witten has 15 receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns this season and if he is limited, Gavin Escobar could see some increased snaps.
The Cowboys are putting rookie La'el Collins in the starting lineup for Sunday, as Pro Football Talk reports that team vice president Stephen Jones spoke with 105.3 The Fan and confirmed the news. Jones also dropped an update on Dez Bryant, saying that the "prognosis" has Bryant expected back in Week 7, which would come after the team bye in Week 6. Bryant could potentially return for the Giants road game on October 25 after earlier reports had Bryant out for eight to 10 weeks with his foot injury.
The Cowboys are 2-0 this season and they could keep control of the NFC East division with a victory against the Falcons. The team is trying to hold things out with Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel until Tony Romo can return and if Bryant can be back for Week 7, it would be a major boost after his initial diagnosis. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Collins said he is "Excited" to start and that he is "prepared" to make the move to the first team.
Collins worked with the first team offense in training camp and it comes after the team signed the offensive lineman as an undrafted free agent. Collins was considered a first round talent, but after an ex-girlfriend was murdered, teams stepped back until he was cleared after the draft. Collins previously played some left guard with Mackenzy Bernadeau in Week 2 of the season.