Jason Witten is an ironman in the NFL and he showed that in Week 3 after playing through multiple injuries for the Dallas Cowboys and he likely will play again in Week 4. Brandon Weeden struggled on Sunday and Matt Cassel could be an option and this comes as Joseph Randle came through against the Falcons for fantasy football owners, while Terrance Williams was a bust.
The Cowboys had a two touchdown lead against the Falcons on Sunday and still managed to lose and now the team is 2-1 on the season. Witten was questionable all week leading into the game with ankle and knee injuries, but he was able to suit up and play for the Cowboys. Having Witten was big, as the team is still learning how to play without Tony Romo and Dez Bryant. Romo will be out for at least another month, while Bryant could be out for longer depending on how his foot heals from surgery.
Witten is the most reliable target for Brandon Weeden and if he continues to start for Romo over Cassel, Weeden will need Witten on the field. Witten comes in after catching six balls on Sunday for 65 yards and after playing this week despite the injuries, the tight end has not missed a game for the Cowboys since the 2003 season. Witten is a model of consistency and for the Cowboys to stay above water without Bryant on offense, Witten will have to continue stepping up.
This season Witten is the leading receiver on the team among non-RB players (Lance Dunbar) and he comes in with 21 catches for 181 yards and two TDs in three games. Witten is on track to play in Week 4 for the Cowboys as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks with his injuries from last week. Witten was able to play through that pain, so fantasy owners should be confident that the tight end will be in the starting lineup again.
According to the Dallas Morning News, Brandon Weeden likely will continue to start with Tony Romo out, with Matt Cassel as the backup option. The Cowboys lost on Sunday, but Weeden had a solid game while going 22-of-26 for 232 yards and an interception. Weeden was not able to get the Cowboys into the endzone in the second half and that's a concern, but Jerry Jones told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he liked how Weeden "handled himself" in the game. Jones has continued to have confidence in Weeden with Romo out for a stretch.
The offense did not get much done for fantasy owners apart from Randle, who had a great game with 87 yards rushing and three touchdowns. The receivers did not perform well, as Williams was a bust this week with zero catches. Cole Beasley was a bit better, catching four balls for 49 yards, but overall the Cowboys receivers have to show more with Bryant still out. Witten and Randle remain the best offensive options for the Cowboys.
Check here for more on Witten, the Cowboys, Weeden and Cassel.
