JASON WITTEN

ESPN is near the goal line of landing a top-tier talent to join the “Monday Night Football” booth.

Huddle up! Here’s a look back at this weekend on the gridiron, with three key takeaways from the state’s football scene.

After suffering a devastating knee injury in week one of the 2020 season, Blake Jarwin is finally back in training camp with aspirations of establishing himself as the team's premiere tight end.

ARGYLE, Texas – Jason Witten is becoming a high school football coach after his second retirement from the NFL. The 11-time Pro Bowl tight end was named Monday as the new head coach at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas, which is only about 30 miles from the headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys. The non-denominational private school said in a tweet that it was excited to name the former Cowboys tight end and “long-time Liberty parent” as its head coach. AdA third-round pick out of Tennessee in 2003, Witten ended his career fourth on the NFL career list with 1,228 catches. He’s second among tight ends to Tony Gonzalez, who is also the only other tight end with more yards (15,127 to 13,046).

DALLAS – Jason Witten says he is retiring again, apparently for good this time. Witten is also the franchise leader in games, starts, catches and yards receiving. A third-round pick out of Tennessee in 2003, Witten ended his career fourth on the NFL career list with 1,228 catches. He's second among tight ends to Tony Gonzalez, who is also the only other tight end with more yards (15,127 to 13,046). Witten had 110 catches in 2012, which was the NFL season record for a tight end for six years before Philadelphia's Zach Ertz grabbed 116.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) talks at the end of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Seattle's star quarterback Russell Wilson and Kansas City's standout tight end Travis Kelce are among the 32 finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)In a year impacted by a pandemic and social unrest, NFL players have spoken out and stepped up. “The 32 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominees remind us that even in the face of adversity, players continue to raise awareness and use their voice and platform to positively impact their communities. “Being nominated as the Chiefs' Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year is one of the greatest honors of my professional career,” tight end Travis Kelce said. As an organization captain, he directs a team of active NFL players who are committed to using their platform to help address the clean water crisis.

DALLAS COWBOYS (8-8)New Faces: Coach Mike McCarthy, backup QB Andy Dalton, WR CeeDee Lamb, DE Everson Griffen, DE Aldon Smith, DT Dontari Poe, S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S Trevon Diggs, K Greg Zuerlein, C Tyler Biadasz. Strengths: If Lamb lives up to hype after unexpectedly falling to Cowboys at No. This season will mark 25 years since last time Dallas won multiple playoff games in same year. Roster is built for that playoff run, McCarthy sees no reason why it shouldn't happen in his Cowboys debut, 10 years after winning Super Bowl with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. McCarthy probably doesn't have another Rodgers in terms of pure ability, but Prescott is capable of leading postseason run that would probably secure long-term contract he's been trying to get since early 2019.

Perhaps the biggest headlines Brady drew recently came when he defied players' union recommendations to cease informal practices with teammates as a coronavirus precaution. (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP, File)In seven weeks, the NFL expects to kick off its 101st season with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs hosting Houston. Still set on conducting a somewhat normal training camp, though without any preseason games, and then opening the regular season on time, the NFL pushes onward. We could have a ton of social distance, more than we have with our football team, Chiefs coach Andy Reid says. Perhaps the biggest headlines Brady drew recently came when he defied players' union recommendations to cease informal practices with teammates as a coronavirus precaution.

DALLAS COWBOYS (8-8)CAMP SITE: Frisco, TexasLAST YEAR: Season with high expectations ended without playoff spot, leading to departure of coach Jason Garrett. Mike McCarthy, Super Bowl winner in Green Bay a decade ago, took over. IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: McCarthy, WR CeeDee Lamb, DT Gerald McCoy, DE Aldon Smith, DT Dontari Poe, S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, CB Maurice Canady, K Greg Zuerlein. McCarthy won Super Bowl with Aaron Rodgers, but hasn't had chance to get to know Prescott face-to-face. EXPECTATIONS: Cowboys still believe they have roster capable of contending for Super Bowl, but patience might be required based on circumstances.

FRISCO, Texas - Dallas Cowboys receivers and tight ends have seven touchdown catches through two games, the same number of TDs the entire offense had in the first five games last year. He has completed 82 percent of his passes for 674 yards with seven TDs and one interception in two games. Elliott reached 100 yards (111) thanks to a 27-yard run the play before Prescott took a knee to run out the clock. Getting takeaways has been a persistent problem, and the Cowboys have two through two games, a pair of fumbles against the Giants. STOCK DOWNLG Connor Williams was beaten badly on the only sack of Prescott and again when quick pressure forced Prescott out of the pocket before his first interception in seven career games against the Redskins.

(AP) - Dak Prescott probably could have kept running - maybe all the way to the end zone. Instead, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback stiff-armed Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman to put an exclamation point on his longest run of the game. "If Dak could run the ball well and he can pass the ball well like he showed today, how can you prepare for us?" "We as a team can run the ball well and pass the ball well. Redskins: S Montae Nicholson left briefly with a foot injury that appeared to bother him even after he returned.

The Dallas Cowboys 2019 season kicked off at home with the New York Giants. Giants running back Saquon Barkley gashed the Cowboys for a huge 59-yard gain on his first carry of the game. The Cowboys defense wasn't that great allowing 470 total yards, but for the most part made big plays when needed. Randall Cobb, Gallup and Cooper all had big games, but it was their yards after catch that really hurt the Giants. Yards after a catch can wreck a defense, and those three shredded the Giants defense.

He's played well in practice, he's played well in preseason games, he's handled himself well, he's making good decisions, making good throws and that follows with how he prepares," Garrett said. It marked the first Dallas touchdown in a preseason game since Aug. 18, 2018. "I thought the first half was good, really," McVay said. Elliott, a two-time league rushing champion, missed his second preseason game while he continues his holdout. Rams: Host Denver in their next-to-last preseason game on Aug. 24.

OXNARD, Calif. - With Oxnard located so close to Los Angeles, the Dallas Cowboys are used to attracting stars to their training camp workouts. Following practice, Wahlberg visited with a number of players including tight end Jason Witten and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, who posed for pictures. When it came time to talk football, Wahlberg said he would love to see a Cowboys-Patriots Super Bowl. That would be a good Super Bowl match up, Im calling it right now. Then I can go to a Super Bowl stress free, which is not normal.Dallas travels to New England to face the Pats on Nov. 24 in a potential Super Bowl 54.

OXNARD, Calif. - One of the perks of covering the Dallas Cowboys training camp is the weather in SoCal, especially in Oxnard. Last night I actually used my Texas Open pullover for the second time on this trip. Its still hard to believe the Cowboys actually trained in Wichita Falls. The thinking back then was if they could stand the heat in training camp, then they would be ready for September and October in Texas Stadium. Maybe thats one reason we got big timed when we asked for an interview, not wanting to be seen in Cowboys camp.

Head coach Jason Garrett was not surprised that Witten returned to the NFL. Quarterback Dak Prescott is one of the most important members of that nucleus, and Witten likes what he's seen from the 26-year old gunslinger. "The intangibles that he has as a leader are unlike anything Ive ever seen," said Witten. He is the leader of this football team." Having a veteran like Witten on the roster should help the development of all the young tight ends on the Cowboys' roster.

OXNARD, Calif. - For some reason we were not as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the start of Day 3 at Dallas Cowboys training camp. Maybe we are still feeling the effects of travel day, but nonetheless, its the first day of workouts, so we hit the ground running. But the good news, for those of us in the media, it makes the players available twice a day. Unlike most NFL camps, every Cowboys player is available after workouts if they want to talk. There is no podium appearance at Cowboys camp for any player.

It has been standard operating procedure since Jason Garrett took over as head coach 10 years ago. Driven is the flag the Cowboys will fly in 2019. Tight end Jason Witten is driven to show doubters he still has gas left in the tank after one year in retirement. I think there are degrees of driven if you reflect back on the people you know in your life, Garrett explained. Theres somebody else that is a whole different level, and certainly thats the level we are trying to get to.Copyright 2019 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

OXNARD, California - The Dallas Cowboys have officially arrived in Oxnard, California. Most of the main stars made the trip together, including quarterback Dak Prescott and tight end Jason Witten, but the most conspicuous no-show was running back Ezekiel Elliott, who missed the Cowboys' scheduled charter flight at 1 p.m. Elliott can still make his own way to Oxnard and report for training camp tomorrow. The official report day is tomorrow, and it's going to be a beautiful day. We get here a day early before the official day starts tomorrow, so we're excited about being out here." Tomorrow, Garrett, owner Jerry Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones will speak to the media for their annual "State of the Cowboys" address.

One of the top five questions for the Cowboys as they open their 2019 training camp Thursday is what can two veterans, Travis Frederick and Jason Witten, bring to the team on their return. We noticed early in last seasons training camp that Frederick was often beaten off the line by rookies, something abnormal to see for a four-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro. After bringing him back slowly during organized team activities, the Cowboys have activated Frederick on their training camp roster, according to NFL.com. That means this training camp is Frederick's first chance to work out in full pads since his diagnosis. Additionally, long-time Cowboys veteran tight end Jason Witten is back on the roster after spending only one year in retirement and in the broadcast booth.

DALLAS COWBOYS (11-7)OPEN CAMP: July 27, Oxnard, California. Dallas went 7-1 in second half to surge to NFC East title, won wild-card game against Seattle, lost to LA Rams in divisional round. Cowboys didn't do much in offseason to change outlook at safety, so perceived weak link in defense will be under scrutiny. Coach Jason Garrett enters final year of contract signed after 2014 season, when Dallas won just second playoff game since Super Bowl title following 1995 season. Garrett might need to lead Cowboys to first NFC championship game since then to survive, and even that might not be enough.

The start of the 2015 NFL regular season is right around the corner and while millions of fans will be watching the action on the field, they will also be paying close attention to their fantasy football teams. Fantasy football has become a staple of the NFL game. Here's a quick look at the top Cowboys fantasy football options this year, according to ESPN's Matthew Berry's Top 200 for 2015 list. My guess is Randle was slotted here because of the overall depth at the position for fantasy football. OTHER COWBOYS FANTASY FOOTBALL OPTIONS IN TOP 200 LIST:WR Terrence Williams (119 overall), RB Lance Dunbar (171 overall), K Dan Bailey (197 overall).