Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten will end his brief broadcasting career to rejoin the team as a player.
The announcement was made by the team on Thursday.
Witten, who turns 37 in May, is the franchise leader in receptions, receiving yards and games played.
By returning to the team, he will set the franchise mark for years of service at 16.
Witten’s announcement ends his one-season association with ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.” His performance along with those by broadcasting mates Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland had been panned by many critics.
Witten was the Cowboys’ regular tight end during the 2017 season, his final one with the team. He produced 63 receptions and 560 yards — lowest totals since his rookie season in 2003.
But his return should help the team, which finished 11-7 last season and lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Los Angeles Rams.
The Cowboys employed four different tight ends who started games last season. Blake Jarwin, Geoff Swaim, Dalton Schultz and Rico Gathers all started at the position during the 2018 season. Jarwin led the Cowboys’ tight ends with 27 receptions and Swaim added 26.
We’ll have more on this developing story as it emerges.
