Witten Injures Spleen; T-Jack on the Block

Added on Aug 15, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

Now that we’re in the thick of the 2012 preseason, there’s no shortage of news circumventing across NFL practice fields. Tim Tebow had a birthday, Chad Johnson got cut on reality TV and Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt complained that both of his quarterbacks aren’t performing. And then there’s the important stories that actually matter. Like an All-Pro tight end getting hurt and a quarterback on the block.

Jason Witten doesn’t need to play in the preseason and that simple fact will be hotly debated after it was discovered a hit he took on Monday night will cause him to miss the remainder of the preseason with a damaged spleen. His availability for the regular season opener is also in question, especially if surgery is required.

Between Dez Bryant’s erratic antics and Miles Austin’s balky hamstrings, the Cowboys can ill afford to lose Witten for an extended period of time. The pressure is on Tony Romo and the rest of the team to make a deep run in the NFC, so not having a full arsenal of offensive weapons won’t make the task easier.

Tarvaris Jackson didn’t play in Seattle’s exhibition opener and won’t play in game two on Saturday. He’s not hurt or in the doghouse. No, he’s on the trading block. The ex-Vikings and Seahawks starter is rumored to be drawing interest from at least a couple of teams searching for veteran quarterback help.

With free agent addition Matt Flynn and rookie Russell Wilson ahead of him on the depth chart, Jackson’s days in the Pacific Northwest appear to be numbered. He set career highs in passing yards, touchdown passes and games started in 2011, but turnovers and inconsistent accuracy have caused head coach Pete Carroll to sour on him.

Jackson’s hefty $4 million salary is the major obstacle to him being moved. Very few if any franchises are willing to absorb that kind of cash for someone destined to be a backup. Unless a team is placed in a desperate situation, Jackson might stay right where he is or be outright released.

Source: NFL.com