As strange as the sight of Jason Witten dropping things was the move he pulled after the Cowboys game.
The normally accountable, normally sure-handed tight end was nowhere to be seen after he dropped three passes and committed two false starts in the Cowboys win over the Bucs, according to Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
It continued an uncharacteristic start for Witten, who entered the game tied for the league lead in dropped passes.
“I think Witten has probably got the fewest drops of about anybody we’ve ever had around here, so I’m not [concerned],” owner Jerry Jones said.
Of course, if Witten’s not himself, he should get a little latitude. He suffered a lacerated spleen in the preseason, from which he came back quicker than many expected.
Asked if Witten was 100 percent healthy, Jones replied: “I think he is. So we in no way are going to do anything that doesn’t give Witten all the chances we can give him.”
Witten also missed some key blocks, one of which led to a sack-forced fumble. Through three games, he has just eight catches for 76 yards, with no touchdowns.
“Jason has played at the highest of levels and he’s still playing that way,” quarterback Tony Romo said. “If this is tough on Jason right now, he’s been so good for so long that a play doesn’t define anything for him.”
One game can be a fluke, and two might be a coincidence. But if Witten keeps playing like someone who is not Jason Witten, it’s not going to be too many weeks before it’s a trend.
