Cowboys’ Witten: ‘Jitters had been actual’ in return

HONOLULU — Jason Witten admitted that he had extra jitters than he usually would for a preseason recreation after 15 years within the league.

A 12 months away from enjoying for the Dallas Cowboys will try this to an 11-time Professional Bowl tight finish.

In his first motion since Dec. 31, 2017, Witten caught one cross for 10 yards on the primary staff’s solely drive of the Cowboys’ 14-10 win in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday at Aloha Stadium.

“A 12 months away from the sport, all of the work to get again right here since March, getting in form, getting your physique prepared, having a possibility, I do know I’ve acquired so much to show,” Witten mentioned. “It wasn’t good. I believed we’re on schedule with the issues I need to work on. Capable of get a third-down conversion. Dak confirmed he had the boldness on that. A few of the different issues within the passing recreation, working recreation, I felt good with. It is all the time tough once you’re coming again out right here … so the jitters had been actual. Lots of work to get again to right here, nevertheless it felt good.”

Witten spent final 12 months in ESPN’s Monday Night time Soccer sales space however opted to return to the Cowboys in February on a one-year deal.

Witten performed all 12 snaps on the Cowboys’ first drive Saturday and transformed a primary down along with his 10-yard reception. In his ultimate regular-season recreation in 2017 at Philadelphia, he caught two passes for 17 yards in a 6-Zero Dallas win.

From the offseason program to the organized staff actions to the June minicamp to the 15 practices in Oxnard, California, 12 of which had been in full pads, Witten has impressed the entrance places of work, coaches and teammates in his return.

“He is simply a type of guys, extremely dependable, had an excellent understanding of the sport, very quarterback-friendly, and he comes up huge in crunch time,” coach Jason Garrett mentioned. “He is completed that all through his profession. It was good to see him out right here, good to see him enjoying soccer, having enjoyable enjoying soccer and getting a number of snaps underneath his belt.”

Witten enters the season because the Cowboys’ all-time chief in video games performed, consecutive video games performed, receptions and receiving yards. By enjoying this season, he may have probably the most service time in franchise historical past, breaking a tie with Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Mark Tuinei and Invoice Bates.

“Doing what I really like, no place I would slightly be,” Witten mentioned. “Really feel like I am on schedule. That is the subsequent step for us, and all via coaching camp, I felt good. We will see as we transfer ahead, however I would not guess in opposition to.”