Cowboys TE Witten may sit out vs. Giants

Oct 30, 2008 - 12:22 AM IRVING, Texas (Ticker) -- Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten did not practice Wednesday and may be forced to sit out this Sunday's game against the New York Giants due to a cracked rib.

The NFC's leading receiver, Witten watched practice in a sweatshirt and shorts. The 26-year-old still is feeling the effects of the injury, which he suffered in Sunday's 13-9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"Every time you breathe, you feel it in there," Witten said. "I've never had anything like this before. It's going to just come down to the pain. Obviously, any hits that I take, (the pad) will protect it. But I feel like the damage is done."

Coach Wade Phillips said the team will be cautious with the injury.

"We're going to make sure he doesn't get hurt worse," Phillips said. "I think we got him padded up and we've got to see if we can help with the pain, but it may be a situation where he can't do it this week."

Witten, who has recorded 46 receptions for 549 yards and two touchdowns, played just one more series after suffering the injury early in the first half of Sunday's win.

The injury to Witten is another blow to Dallas' offense, which has struggled since quarterback Tony Romo and running back Felix Jones were injured in Week Six.

A third-round pick in 2003, Witten has not missed a game since his rookie season, when he missed one contest with a broken jaw.

The Cowboys could opt to rest Witten with the Week 10 bye on the horizon. Still, Witten said he will play if he can.

"It's easy to say we've got the bye week and we've got 20 days to get it healthy," Witten said.

"I look at it like, if I've got an opportunity to play. ... If they clear me to play, then I can handle it. Obviously, there is a situation where I feel like I've got thick skin and you can go out there and play and help your team. You owe it to your team to do it."

If Witten does not play or is limited, rookie Martellus Bennett will attempt to fill the void. Bennett has eight catches for 145 yards and a TD this season.

The Cowboys got some good news on the defensive side as cornerback Anthony Henry returned to practice in limited fashion and could play Sunday. Henry suffered a partially torn quadriceps against Tampa Bay.

Sunday's tilt is a big game for the banged-up Cowboys (5-3), who enter 1 1/2 games behind the Giants (6-1) in the NFC East.