DALLAS COWBOYS NEWS: Jason Witten Receives Good News from Team Doctors?

Witten is healing well and he may avoid surgery, but the decision on whether he will play in Dallas' season opener versus the defending Super-Bowl champion and NFC East rival New York Giants has not been made, Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones told Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan.

"He had a good appointment (Tuesday with doctors),'' Jones said. "Things are progressing.  ... It's certainly starting to look (like surgery will not be needed). He'll go back for another appointment next week and see where it sits.''

The seven-time Pro Bowler was seen at practice Monday working with resistance cords, but has not participated in any contact drills since his injury.

Witten has been out of the Dallas line-up since their first preseason game on Aug. 13 against the Oakland Raiders. He took a vicious hit in the first quarter and left after after finishing the offensive series.

The seven-time Pro Bowler then waited to hear from doctors if his injury would require surgery. Witten later learned surgery may not be necessary and his spleen could heal on its own.

Since Witten's injury, back-up tight end James Hanna has started Dallas' last two preseason games.

Hanna is tied for second on the team in catches and fourth in receiving yards in the preseason, with eight receptions for 83 yards.

Witten, a seven-time Pro Bowler who has spent his entire nine-year career with the Cowboys, has missed only one game in his professional career and has 696 receptions and 7,909 yards with 41 touchdowns.