Jason Witten hoping to avoid surgery for spleen injury

Jason Witten is hopeful he can avoid surgery to repair a lacerated spleen but the Dallas Cowboys tight end might not learn his fate for more than a week.

Witten was injured in the preseason opener against the Oakland Raiders, and will need an examination when the team returns to Dallas. It could be 7 to 10 days, according to Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas.

“Initially when they said we need to talk about it, I was a little worried of how long it could be," Witten said today, according to Archer. “Obviously being hopeful to not having to have surgery, I thought sooner than later. That's a positive sign. Yeah, I was concerned, but ultimately we got good news from that standpoint.”

Witten has missed only one game throughout his career but the season opener at the New York Giants on Sept. 5 is up in the air. For now, he has to rest and hope the examination goes well.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune