OXNARD, Calif. — Jason Witten has a spleen injury and the Pro Bowl tight end for the Dallas Cowboys will likely miss the rest of the preseason.
It is unclear if Witten will be ready for the Cowboys’ regular season opener in three weeks, Sept. 5 at the New York Giants.
Coach Jason Garrett said Wednesday that Witten sustained a “slightly lacerated” spleen in the preseason opener Monday night. He said Witten has to remain still as much as possible over the next week so he can heal.
“It’s a very serious injury and we’re really taking this thing day by day,” Garrett said. “He has to be very still and idle for the next week to 10 days, so you won’t see him out here on the practice field.”
Knee surgery for Steelers’ Harrison
PITTSBURGH — Steelers linebacker James Harrison underwent surgery on his left knee Wednesday, and his return is uncertain. He currently is on the physically unable to perform list.
Harrison, 34, has been struggling with lingering pain in the knee for months. Coach Mike Tomlin called it a “minor” procedure but added he’s not ready to put a timetable on when Harrison will be cleared to play.
Around the league
BRONCOS: Denver defensive end Jason Hunter is out at least two months with a torn triceps and might miss the season. Hunter is the team’s third defensive lineman to suffer a torn triceps at training camp in the past two years. Elvis Dumervil missed the 2010 season and Ty Warren missed last season.
JAGUARS: Jacksonville could be without starting left tackle Eugene Monroe (University of Virginia) for Friday’s preseason game at New Orleans. Monroe left the practice field on a cart Wednesday after being hit in the head during drills.
JETS: Nose tackle Sione Po’uha said he could miss the rest of the preseason with a stiff back but is confident he will play in the regular-season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 9.
LIONS: Detroit running back Mikel Leshoure, who missed all of last season with a torn Achilles tendon and is suspended for the first two games of this one, was back on the practice field Wednesday after missing time because of a right hamstring injury. He’ll sit out the first two games for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.
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