Rookie tight end Jason Witten underwent surgery on Sunday to repair the broken jaw he suffered in the Cowboys’ 24-7 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Witten was injured when two Cardinals linebackers hit him after an 8-yard catch. The helmet of one player impacted his jaw.
Witten made his way to the sidelines before collapsing, but later told head coach Bill Parcells that he could go back in.
Parcells told reporters on Monday that the jaw will not be wired shut and that the injury should not cause Witten to be out for an extended period.
“As soon as he gets the soreness out of the soft tissue, he will be able to play again,” Parcells said. “I wouldn't expect that to be a prolonged period of time.”
To maintain the depth at tight end, the Cowboys released defensive tackle Michael Myers and resigned tight end Tony McGee.
Myers, a fourth round pick from Alabama in 1998, was not big enough for a Parcells defensive line and had not seen significant playing time this season. He started 25 games for Dallas, and his best season was 2001, when he had 67 tackles, 3 ½ sacks and 4 tackles for a loss.
McGee makes his return to Dallas after being released by the Cowboys on the final cut of training camp. He signed with the Tampa Bay Bucs but was released four days later.
McGee signed a one-year contract that will pay him a prorated portion – $44,117 per week – of the veteran minimum of $750,000.
Myers’ position is taken by Delaroy Stewart, who has been getting a lot of playing time.
"Delaroy is going uphill fast," Parcells said. "Willie [Blade] played good again. We have a nice deal, if those guys keep it going."
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