text: Dallas Cowboys: Cowboys position preview: Could Jason Witten's return mean the end of the line for another tight end in Dallas? | SportsDay
  Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) talks with other tight ends during a Dallas Cowboys OTA practice on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at The Star in Frisco. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
  Let the countdown to Cowboys training camp begin. After a relatively quiet offseason, the team is scheduled to depart for Oxnard, Calif., on July 25 with the first practice on July 27. To help you prepare for camp and get your mind back on NFL football, we're previewing each of the Cowboys position groups. Today's installment is tight ends:
  On the roster: Rico Gathers, Jason Witten, Codey McElroy, Dalton Schultz, Blake Jarwin
  The Cowboys entered the season with little experience at the position after Jason Witten announced his retirement. Geoff Swaim topped the group with nine career catches. Blake Jarwin ended up leading the team with 27 catches for 307 yards and three touchdowns, but it was largely a group effort.
  Dallas Cowboys tight end Blake Jarwin (89) runs through a drill during practice at The Star in Frisco, Wednesday, January 2, 2019. Jarwin was named the NFC Player of the Week today. The Cowboys are preparing to play the Seattle Seahawks in a wildcard game Saturday. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)
  Witten returns from his one-year hiatus in the Monday Night Football broadcasting booth and is again expected to get most of the first-team work. However, the Cowboys are being mindful of not wanting to stunt the progress of Jarwin and Dalton Schultz, a 2018 fourth-round draft pick. Plus, it remains to be seen how effective Witten will be at 37 after a year away. He played over 98% of the offensive snaps in 2017, his most recent season, and is famous for not wanting to leave the field.
  Is this it for Rico Gathers? The former Baylor basketball forward is entering his fourth season. He was used sparingly last season, unable to establish himself as a reliable red zone target. He is suspended for the season opener for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.