IRVING -- Sitting by his locker, with just a couple of Band-Aids on his injured shoulder, Cowboys tight end Jason Witten played a pretty convincing game of downplay.
It hurt a little bit.
A little sore.
It wasnt that bad.
Which would have been even slightly believable had Witten not bolted for the locker room after crash-landing on his shoulder late in the first half. Guys like Witten, guys who keep running when their helmets pop off like in a previous Eagles game, do not retreat to the locker room for a bump or bruise or owie.
And sure enough, further prodding revealed the Band-Aids were where he had taken the pain-killer shot to allow him to return. Witten did come back, in time to join Dallas next drive and finish two catches to set up a field goal before halftime.
I wanted to get back out there as quick as I can, Witten said. I think I got it good. Well look at it (Tuesday morning) and see what happens.
The truth is Wittens shoulder is not good. It is separated. And it is not likely to be right for a while, meaning he is going to have to play through this.
Witten will, just like he did Monday.
This will be dismissed by many, a gutty footnote in a long regular season. I think actually this is another sign of just how much mentally tougher this team is than a year ago. And Owner Jones has a theory as to why.
I think what we have this year is one that had to live with a disappointing end to last year, Owner Jones said. It has been emphasized that we are a team that hasnt been able to pass the test in the playoffs.
A few were trying to compare this to Monday Night Football in Buffalo a year ago. I disagree. That felt a bit fortuitous. This was the Cowboys imposing their will by games end, with a little help from Donovan McNabbs inexplicable double-pump on a handoff which led to Brian Westbrooks fumble.
But the Cowboys who jumped on it and who scored the touchdown and who stopped Donovan McNabb and Co. for a final time to seal this victory ... They won this game.
What was most impressive is how both sides of the ball, on defense and offense, bounced back from ugly moments. And plenty of ugly existed Monday. Owner Jones was not kidding when he talked about being fortunate to win. Breaks were made, though.
McNabb had been abusing this Cowboy defense until they tightened up to get back-to-back stops on Phillys final two possessions. And Tony Romo bounced back from his mistakes, an endzone fumble and interception, to lead his teammates to a 41-37 victory.
There are a couple of drives there where hed love to have them back. It shows how he has grown into a mature quarterback, Witten said. The way he led the team Alright guys, here is what the deal is offensively we have to score some point. He did a great job of keeping us all in the loop.
So was Witten trying to keep pace with Romo, who stayed in a game with a bleeding chin in Week 1?
Hes little bit tougher than I am, Witten said.
Wait. Really?
No, Im joking, he said.
Witten is one of the toughest SOBs in football and he reminded us all of this on Monday, which is a good sign that maybe this team will be tougher come playoffs.