Cowboys TE Jason Witten ‘confident’ he’ll be able to play against Atlanta

Jason Witten emerged from the training room just long enough Wednesday afternoon to declare he feels good and believes he’ll be able to play against Atlanta.

“I’m confident,” the Pro Bowl tight end responded when asked if he’d be able to take the field against the Falcons. “I felt good out there.”

Witten has played in 189 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NFL by a non-kicker or specialist. The last 133 of those have been as a starter.

Witten led the Cowboys with seven receptions for 56 yards in the victory over the Eagles. He was on the field for 82-of-85 snaps despite spraining both ankles and a knee.

“Talk about a tough dude,” quarterback Brandon Weeden said. “I heard he couldn’t even walk in here on Monday and he’s doing pretty good.”

Witten has spent most of the week in the training room as he prepares to extend his streak. He took the field for practice Wednesday in pads and a helmet but was limited.

How much did he do?

“Some of it,” Witten responded. “I’ll just continue to take it day by day.”

Jason Garrett has a contingency plan in place but is not yet ready to concede he may have to coach a game without Witten. The Cowboys head coach points out a lot of players can’t do much on Wednesday or Thursday in practice but are able to play in a game.

“Well, his history matters,” Garrett said. “You’re certainly more trusting of a guy like that because he’s shown you many times in the past that he’s going to be there. He has a great credibility with us.

“Track record matters. He’s demonstrated a lot through his career that he can get himself ready to play when things don’t always look so good for him early on in the week.

“But we have to be ready with a lot of different alternatives.”

The Cowboys have gone with alternatives before, and somehow, someway, Witten finds a way to take the field.

“He’s the toughest guy I’ve ever seen play football,” tight end Gavin Escobar said. “I wouldn’t bet against him playing Sunday.”

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