The Dallas Cowboys may be down Jason Witten for Week 3 and if he is out, Gavin Escobar is a fantasy football starter option against the Falcons. The Cowboys are already down Tony Romo and Dez Bryant for a stretch and Brandon Weeden is expected to start for the team on Sunday. UPDATE: The Cowboys are acquiring Matt Cassel, more to come.
--UPDATE: The Dallas Cowboys have reportedly traded for Matt Cassel from the Buffalo Bills after losing Tony Romo to an injury. Cassel will be the replacement for Romo and he could start for the team following the loss of Romo to the IR with designation to return list.
According to Ian Rapoport from NFL.com, the Cowboys have acquired Cassel from the Bills for a draft pick. Todd Archer at ESPN Dallas reports that the team is trading a 2017 draft pick to the Bills for Cassel. The team had Brandon Weeden slotted to start for Romo after being the backup and now Cassel likely will take over. Cassel is making $2 million this season and he was behind Tyrod Taylor on the roster with EJ Manuel for the Bills.
Witten has been one of the most consistent tight ends in the league over the last decade and he has not missed a game for the Cowboys since he was a rookie. According to ESPN.com, Ed Werder reports that Witten is "not a lock" to play against the Falcons, as he is dealing with ankle and knee injuries. Werder writes that Witten is dealing with two sprained ankles and he also has a sprained knee and that could keep him on the sidelines for the Cowboys.
If Witten is out, Gavin Escobar likely will get the start for the Cowboys at tight end and he is worth a pickup in leagues as a replacement fantasy option for Witten owners. Witten has 15 catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns this season and he has been a stalwart for the Cowboys for his entire career. The Cowboys could be without their top three offensive players on Sunday if Witten is out, as Dez Bryant could be out 10 weeks with a foot injury and Tony Romo is out eight with a fracture.
Brandon Weeden is likely going to get the start for Week 3 and Escobar could be one of his best targets at tight end. The position is often a safety valve for quarterbacks and with Weeden coming in, Escobar could have a solid day for fantasy owners. Escobar had two catches on three targets on Sunday against the Eagles and this season he has four catches for 24 yards and one touchdown. Escobar played in 16 games last season and had just nine catches for 105 yards and four touchdowns. Escobar has size and the skills to be a solid tight end and if Witten is out multiple weeks, the Cowboys will need to rely on him even more.
The Cowboys likely will put a focus on running the ball with Romo out, as Brandon Weeden is going to have to play without Dez Bryant for a long stretch as well. Players like Cole Beasley, Terrance Williams and Devin Street will get the chance to step up and they are strong fantasy options moving forward. Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar and Darren McFadden give the Cowboys some depth and they likely will try and take advantage of that against the Falcons.
Jerry Jones praised Brandon Weeden after the game on Sunday and it's likely that he will start the next stretch of games for the Cowboys. The team reportedly is looking at some veteran players, including Josh Johnson, Matt Flynn and Christian Ponder along with McLeod Bethel Thompson. The team also has Kellen Moore on the practice squad.
