During the portion of practice the local media is allowed to observe, Cowboys Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten was on the field warming up Wednesday afternoon. He sprained his left foot in the first half of Sunday's 7-6 win over the Redskins and it has limited him this week in practice.

Coach Wade Phillips said it would be a "game-time" decision as to whether Witten plays tomorrow against the Raiders. But he's only missed one game in his seven-year career with the Cowboys -- and that's because he had a broken jaw. He had his jaw wired together at the time, but he still begged coach Bill Parcells to play. It was his rookie season (2003) and his quick comeback from the injury earned him the respect of Parcells and his teammates.

I think athletic trainers Jim Maurer, Britt Brown and Greg Gaither will have a difficult time keeping Witten off the field. If Witten's unable to go, look for rookie John Phillips to see a lot more time. Everyone with the organization has been impressed with Phillips' blocking.

Martellus Bennett would become the primary receiving tight end in Witten's absence.