TRANSACTIONS: Selected by Dallas Cowboys in the third round (69th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft, April 26, 2003…Placed by Cowboys on the Reserve/Retired List, May 3, 2018…Re-signed by Cowboys as an unrestricted free agent, March 6, 2019… Signed by Las Vegas Raiders as an unrestricted free agent, March 18, 2020.
CAREER: One of the top tight ends in NFL history, an 11-time Pro Bowler, two-time first-team All-Pro and the 2012 Walter Payton Man of the Year, joins the Silver and Black to embark upon his 17th professional season after spending 16 years with the Cowboys (2003-17, 2019)…A former third-round selection (69th overall) by the Cowboys in the 2003 NFL Draft has posted a staggering 1,215 receptions for 12,977 yards and 72 TDs...Leaves Dallas as the franchise's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards, while ranking second in both offensive categories among all tight ends in NFL history and second among all active players…Currently sits second in Cowboys history with 72 receiving TDs, good for fourth among all active players…He also holds the club's record with 130 consecutive games tallying at least one reception…Witten's incredible resume includes four 1,000-yard seasons, four 90-reception seasons, six 80-reception seasons and a remarkable 15 seasons with at least 60 receptions, tied for second-most in NFL history with Hall of Fame TE Tony Gonzalez and WR Larry Fitzgerald, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice (17)…In 2019, he also joined those three players as the fourth person ever to record over 1,200 receptions for their career…His 11 Pro Bowl appearances tie DL Bob Lilly for the most in Cowboys histroy…In his return to the gridiron last season following a year of retirement, Witten started in all 16 games for the 13th time in his career, tallying 63 receptions for 529 yards and four TDs...In Week 1 of 2017, became the club's all-time receiving yards leader, passing Wr Michale Irvin (11,904)…In 2016, finished second on the team in receptions (69) and third in yards (673) and established club records for most games started and consecutive starts…One of his finest seasons came in 2012 when he established a then-NFL tight end record with 110 receptions - since broken by TE Zach Ertz (116 in 2018) - and recorded his fourth 1,000-yard season (1,039)…His 110 catches led the club for the sixth straight (seventh overall season), aided by a Dallas and tight end single-game record of 18 catches…For his work on and off the field, Witten was honored with the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award that same season...In 2007, he became the first tight end in franchise history - 13th in league history - to top 1,000 yards in a season with his first 1,000-yard effort…The longest tenured Cowboy in club history, Witten has appeared in a total of 255 contests and made 245 starts over his career, the fifth-most appearances by an active player in the NFL, trailing only K Adam Vinateri (365), QB Tom Brady (285) and QB Drew Brees (275)…In postseason action, he has started in all eight appearances and recorded 45 receptions for 486 yards and one TD.
2019 (with Dal.): In his return to the gridiron, started in all 16 games for the 13th time in his career, tallying 63 receptions for 529 yards and four TDs...In Week 1, he became the franchise's all-time leader in seasons played (16), and in Week 12, he became just the third tight end in NFL history to appear in at least 250 games, joining TEs Trey Junkin and TonyGonzalez…His receptions and receiving TDs last season both ranked third on the team…(9/8) vs. NYG: Recorded three receptions for 15 yards and one TD in his return to action…(9/15) at Was.: Hauled in four passes for 25 yards and a TD for the second consecutive game…(9/22) vs. Mia.: Posted three receptions for 54 yards…(9/29) at NO: Recorded four receptions for 50 yards…(10/13) at NYJ: Posted five receptions for 57 yards…(11/4) at NYG: Tallied a season-high eight receptions for 58 yards…(11/24) at NE: Became the third tight end in NFL history to appear in at least 250 career contests…(11/28) vs. Buf.: Hauled in six passes for 42 yards and a TD…(12/15) vs. LAR: Recorded four receptions for 36 yards and tallied one TD reception.
2018: Spent the season on Dallas' Reserve/Retired List after announcing his retirement in April to take over as the lead analyst on ESPN's Monday Night Football.
2017 (with Dal.): Started in all 16 contests and recorded 63 receptions for 543 yards and added five TDs…(9/10) vs. NYG: Became the club's all-time receiving yards leader…Passed WR Michael Irvin (11,904) on an 11-yard catch in the second quarter…Also tied Ed Jones (224) for the most games played in franchise history…(9/17) at Den.: Played in his club-record 225th career game and led the team with 10 catches and 97 yards with one score…Became the second NFL tight end (26th player) to reach 12,000 career yards and moved into fourth place on the league's all-time receptions list…(10/22) at SF: Caught four passes for 54 yards with one TD to claim sole possession of third place on the club's all-time receiving TD chart (66)…(12/17) at Oak.: With four catches for 47 yards, topped 500 yards for the 14th time…(12/24) at Sea.: With five catches for 39 yards, topped 60 catches for the 14th overall - third player, second tight end - and 14th consecutive - second player, second tight end.
2016 (with Dal.): Started all 16 games for the 10th consecutive season - 11th time overall - and finished second on the team with 69 receptions, third with 673 yards and tied for fourth with three TDs, while helping block for the league's leading rusher (RB Ezekiel Elliott) and second-ranked rushing attack…During the season, established franchise marks for career starts and consecutive starts, finishing the year with 213 and 163, respectively and moved into seventh all-time in receptions (1,089)…Elected a team captain for the season…(9/11) vs NYG: Opened the season with team-highs in receptions (nine) and yards (66)…Passed WR Isaac Bruce (1,024) for ninth on the NFL's all-time receptions chart…(9/25) vs. Chi.: Started his 200th career game to pass RB Emmitt Smith for the second-most in team history and caught two passes for 25 yards…(10/16) at GB: Tied Ed Jones for the most starts in team history, with his 203rd start…(10/30) vs. Phi.: In the overtime win, established a club record by making his 204th career start and started his 154th consecutive game to tie LB Lee Roy Jordan for the most consecutive starts in team history…Caught two passes for 16 yards, including the game-winning TD in overtime…It was the first time a Cowboys tight end won a game in overtime since TE Billy Joe DuPree's score in the team's first-ever overtime game…(11/6) at Cle.: Led the team with eight receptions for a season-high 134 yards (21st career 100-yard game) and a TD…Made his 155th consecutive start to establish a club record…Became the fifth tight end with a 100-yard game at 34 years-or-older, and his 134 yards were sixth in his career…(11/24) vs. Was.: Caught three passes for 33 yards on Thanksgiving Day to top 50 catches on the season…Became the second tight end, fourth overall player, with 13 straight 50-catch seasons…Passed WR Reggie Wayne for eight on the NFL's receptions chart and played in his 218th career game, the second-most in team history…(12/1) at Min.: In the Thursday Night Football win did not have a catch for the first time in 130 games, snapping his club-record streak…His last game without a reception was at the N.Y. Giants on Nov. 2, 2008…(12/18) vs. TB: Had a team-high 10 catches for 51 yards…Passed WR Terrell Owens for seventh on the NFL's all-time receptions list and logged his 10th career 10-catch game…Logged his 60th catch of the season for the 13th consecutive year to become the third player, second tight end, in NFL history to accomplish the feat…Also topped 600 yards for the 13th overall (ninth player, second tight end) and 13th consecutive (fifth player, second tight end) season…Postseason: (1/15/17) vs. GB: Second on the team with six catches and third with 59 yards along with his first career postseason TD catch in the Divisional Game.
2015 (with Dal.): Started 16 games for the ninth straight season, (10th time overall) and led the team in receptions for the eighth time in his career, with 77 for 713 yards (second on the team) and three TDs (tied for second)…Logged his 12th overall and consecutive 700-yard season, the most in team history, the most consecutive and the second-most overall all-time among NFL tight ends, tied for the fourth-most overall and tied for the second-most consecutive seasons (WRs Terrell Owens, 14, Jerry Rice and Larry Fitzgerald, 12 each) all-time among all NFL pass catchers…Became the first Cowboy to play in 200 consecutive games, set a club record after playing in his 197th consecutive game and for catching a pass in his 118th straight game…Also became the first Cowboy, 12th all-around player and second tight end, to reach 1,000 career receptions and did so in 203 games, the sixth-fastest player and fastest tight end…(11/8) at Phi.: Topped 40 catches for the 12th overall and 12th consecutive season - only the second tight end (Gonzalez) to accomplish the feat…(11/15) at TB: Played in the 200th game of his career and in his 196th consecutive outing to tie DL Bob Lilly (1961-74) for the most consecutive games played in franchise history…(11/22) at Mia.: Played in his 197th consecutive game to establish a team record, finishing…Topped 50 receptions on the year for the 12th time…(11/26) vs. Car.: On Thanksgiving Day, topped 500 yards on the season for the 12th time…(12/7) at Was.: Became the 12th player - second tight end - in NFL history to reach 1,000 career receptions, catching five passes for 45 yards…Reached 1,000 catches in 203 games – sixth-fastest player, fastest tight end…Also became the fourth player and second tight end in NFL history to log 12 total 60-catch seasons and the second player with 12 consecutive 60-catch seasons…(12/13) at GB: Became the first Cowboy to play in 200 consecutive games, finishing the game with five catches for 40 yards…(12/19) vs. NYJ: Started his 145th consecutive game to tie DB Cornell Green for the second-most consecutive starts in team history and led the team with five catches for 49 yards (second)…Tied WR Michael Irvin for the club record with a catch in his 117th straight game…Recorded 70 catches for the ninth time in his career (11th player, second tight end with nine) and his 12th overall and consecutive 600-yard season (seventh player, second tight end with 12 straight)…(12/27) at Buf.: Caught one pass for 12 yards to establish a club record with a catch in 118 consecutive games…Also broke a tie with Green for the second-most consecutive games started in team history (146)…(1/3/16) vs. Was.: In the season finale, topped 700 yards for the 12th straight season.
2014 (with Dal.): Started 16 games for the eighth straight year, playing more as a blocker for the league's second-ranked rushing attack and finished second on the team in catches (64) and yards (703) and third with five TD receptions…Earned his 10th trip to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement for TE Julius Thomas to tie for the second-most Pro Bowl appearances in franchise history…(10/5) vs. Hou.: Had 59 yards to move him past the 10,000-yard mark, joining WR Micheal Irvin as the only Dallas Cowboys and TEs Tony Gonzalez and Shannon Sharpe as the only tight ends in NFL history to reach the plateau…Reached 10,000 receiving yards in 180 games, the second-fastest tight end to the figure…Appeared in his 176th consecutive game to tie LS Dale Hellestrae for the second-longest streak in club history…(10/13) at Sea.: Became the first Dallas Cowboy and second tight end in NFL history to reach 900 career receptions after catching a three-yard TD in the win…He reached 900 catches in 181 games, the seventh-fastest among any pass catcher in league history…Was the 16th player in NFL annals with 900 catches and 10,000 yards…(12/21) at Ind.: Led the team with a season-high tying seven catches and a season-best 90 yards with a TD - a 25-yarder that also made QB Tony Romo the team's all-time passing yards leader…Reached 60 catches on the season for the 11th overall and 11th consecutive season - both second all-time in NFL history among tight ends…Topped 600 yards on the season for the 11th time overall…(12/28) at Was.: Topped 700 yards on the season for the 11th time overall…Postseason: (1/4/15) vs. Det.: Led the team with five catches and tied for second with 63 yards in the Wild Card Playoff Game…(1/11/15) at GB: Led the team with six catches and 71 yards in the Divisional Game.
2013 (with Dal.): Earned his ninth career Pro Bowl selection in place of TE Julius Thomas after finishing the season second on the team with 73 catches, 851 yards and eight TDs…(9/8) vs. NYG: Opened the season with a team-best two TDs eight catches for 70 yards to improve his career receiving yards total to 9,018, making him just the second Dallas Cowboy (WR Michael Irvin) and third league tight end (TEs Tony Gonzalez and Shannon Sharpe) to reach 9,000 career receiving yards…(9/15) vs. KC: Caught three passes for 12 yards and moved past Sharpe for second (817) in receptions all-time among NFL tight ends…(10/6) vs. Den.: Finished the game with seven catches for 121 yards and a TD…It was his 18th career 100-yard game…(11/3) vs. Min.: Led the team with eight catches and 102 yards with a TD…His 102 yards gave him 19 career 100-yard outings while his TD tied him with TE Raymond Chester for 10th in league history among tight ends, tied with WR Drew Pearson for fifth in team history…(11/24) at NYG: Had four catches for 37 yards and two TDs…It was his 81st straight game with a catch, and he topped 50 catches on the season for the 10th time overall and 10th consecutive time in his career…Also hit 50 career TD catches…(12/15) vs. GB: Topped 700 yards on the season for the 10th time in his career 10th consecutive season…Reached 61 receptions on the season - his 10th time in his career doing so and 10th consecutive 60-catch season…(12/29) vs. Phi.: Finished the season with his 20th career 100-yard game (135 yards) on a team-best and season-high 12 catches.
2012 (with Dal.): Led the team for the seventh time, sixth consecutive, with a then-NFL tight end record 110 catches, the second-most in team history…Was second on the squad with his fourth career 1,000-yard season (1,039), tied for the most in NFL tight end history and second overall in team history - along with three scores…Started all 16 games despite being slowed the first part of the season, recovering from a lacerated spleen suffered in the first preseason game…Topped 800 career receptions and 8,000 career yards…Named the Walter Payton Man of the Year for his contributions to society off-the-field while handling himself in an exemplary fashion in uniform…(9/16) at Sea.: Caught four passes for 58 yards to give him 702 career receptions…Became the second Dallas pass catcher (WR Michael Irvin) and third tight end in league history (TEs Tony Gonzalez and Shannon Sharpe) to reach the milestone…Did so in 145 games to become the fastest tight end to 700…(10/1) vs. Chi.: Led the team in catches (13) and yards (112) with one TD…His 13 catches were third in his career and tied for third in team history…His 112 yards upped his team tight end record to 15 100-yard outings…Also topped 8,000 career receiving yards, the second Cowboy and third league tight end to reach the mark…He did it in 157 games, faster than the previous two league tight ends…(10/28) vs. NYG: Established a club and league tight end record with 18 catches…Tied for third all-time among league pass catchers for a career-high and club tight end record 167 yards…(11/4) at Atl.: Had seven catches for 51 yards to pass Irvin (750) and become the Dallas Cowboys all-time receptions leader with 754 catches…He reached the figure in 151 games, while Irvin did it in 159...(11/11) at Phi.: Notched his ninth overall and ninth consecutive season with at least 60 catches, the third-most overall and second-most consecutive all-time among league tight ends…(11/18) vs. Cle.: Reached 70 catches for the season, his seventh overall and sixth consecutive season with at least 70 receptions…Upped his career receptions total to 769 to crack the top-25 of the NFL's all-time receptions list…Also hit 600 yards, his ninth career and ninth consecutive season…His nine seasons marked third all-time among league tight ends and his nine straight are second…(11/22) vs. Was.: On Thanksgiving Day upped his season catch total to 82, his sixth season with at least 80 catches to tie Gonzalez for the most all-time among league tight ends…Also tied Gonzalez and six others for the sixth-most 80-catch seasons among all pass catchers in NFL history…(12/2) vs. Phi.: Tied for the team-high with six catches for a team-best 108 yards - 17th career 100-yard game…Registered over 800 yards for the season (818) and the seventh time in his career to tie Tony Hill for the second-most 800-yard seasons in franchise history (Irvin - eight) and remain second behind Gonzalez' 11…(11/16) vs. Pit.: Recorded five catches for 43 yards to give him a then-career-best 97 catches on the…(12/23) vs. NO: Had six catches for 60 yards to give him 103 catches on the year - the second time a Cowboy topped 100 catches in a season, third time an NFL tight end did it and the 75th time an NFL pass catcher reached the mark…(12/30) at Was.: Caught seven passes for 56 yards to reach his 800th career catch, the third tight end and 26th pass catcher to do it…Reached 800 in his 159th game, the fastest by any tight end in league history…Also finished the season with an NFL tight end record 110 catches while topping 1,000 yards (1,039) for the fourth time in his career (tied with Gonzalez for the most by an NFL tight end)…Along with Bryant's 1,000-yard season, 2012 marked the sixth time a pair of Cowboys pass catchers each topped 1,000 yards in a season.
2011 (with Dal.): Finished with a team-best 79 catches (fifth straight and sixth overall time leading the team in receptions) for a team-best 942 yards with five TDs…Logged his sixth career and fifth-straight season with 75-or-more catches for the second-most overall and the most consecutive 75-catch seasons by a league tight end…(9/11) at NYJ: Recorded a team-high six catches for 110 yards to extend his club tight end record of 100-yard games to 13…His 64-yard catch in the second quarter was the second-longest catch of his career…He upped his career receiving yards total to 7,077 to become the fifth Dallas Cowboy and seventh tight end in league history to reach 7,000 career yards…(9/18) at SF: Finished second on the team with seven catches for 102 yards to up his club record of 100-yard games to 14…It was also the third time in his career he had back-to-back 100-yard games…(10/2) vs. Det.: Led the team with a season-best eight catches for 94 yards to pass WR Bob Hayes (7,295) for fourth in receiving yards in team history…(11/20) at Was.: Led the team with 85 yards on three catches with a 59-yard TD...The TD was the longest scoring catch of his career and third-longest catch of his career…(12/24) vs. Phi.: Caught four passes for 24 yards to give him 72 catches on the season, his sixth season with 70-or-more catches and fifth straight…His five straight tied WR Michael Irvin for tops in franchise record books.
2010 (with Dal.): Selected to his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl, the most by a club tight end and sixth-most by any player at any position in club history, finishing first on the team in receptions for the fourth-straight season and topping 1,000 yards for the third time in his career…His 94 catches were second in the NFC, third in the NFL and tops among tight ends while his 1,002 receiving yards were 10th in the conference, 17th in the league and first among tight ends…His nine TDs established a career-high and tied TE Billy Joe DuPree (1978) for the club season mark in TD catches by a tight end…Selected as a captain by his teammates…(9/19) vs. Chi.: Became the ninth tight end in NFL history to reach 6,000 career yards in the home opener…(11/25 vs. NO: On Thanksgiving Day, led the team with 10 catches for 99 yards, his second double-digit reception game of the season and fifth of his career…Notched 60 catches on the season, his seventh straight, to be just the second tight end in league history with seven straight 60-plus catch seasons…(12/12) vs. Phi.: Led the team with seven catches for 69 yards and two TDs, his second career multiple-TD game…He topped 70 catches on the season for the fifth straight year, the second-most 70-plus catch seasons by a tight end in league history…(12/19) vs. Was.: Tied his season-high with 10 catches for 140 yards and a TD…Topped 600 career catches in the game to become the fourth tight end in league history with 600-or-more receptions…Accomplished the feat in 125 games…His 140 yards upped his club tight end record of 100-yard games to 12 and were the second-most of his career…Passed TE Kellen Winslow Sr. (6,741) for seventh all-time while his TD catch was his seventh of the season to tie his single-season career-high…(12/25) at Ari.: Led the team with eight receptions for 45 yards and a TD to establish a single-season career-high (second among club tight ends) with eight TDs...He upped his receptions total to 90, marking his third career 90-catch season, the second-most by a tight end in league history…(1/2/11) at Phi.: Finished with four catches for 46 yards and a TD…Totaled 1,002 yards, his third career 1,000-yard season to tie Winslow Sr. and TE Shannon Sharpe for the second-most in league history…His nine TDs on the year established a career high while his five straight games with a TD catch is also a career best.
2009 (with Dal.): Named to his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl after finishing with 1,030 receiving yards…His team-leading 94 receptions were third in the NFC, tops among tight ends and ninth in the NFL, second among tight ends…(9/13) at TB: Reached 5,000 receiving yards to become the sixth pass catcher in team history to accomplish the feat…(9/20) vs. NYG: Posted a team-high five catches for 33 yards and one TD in the first game at AT&T Stadium…(10/4) at Den.: Topped 450 career receptions in the game, becoming the fifth pass catcher in team history to reach 450…Reached 450 receptions in 99 games - the second fastest behind WR Michael Irvin's 96 games…Played in his 100th career game…Ranked second in receptions and third in yards compared to the NFL's all-time tight ends receptions leaders through their first 100 career games…(10/25) at Atl.: Passed Frank Clarke (5,214) for fifth on Dallas' all-time receiving yards chart…(11/26) vs. Oak.: Finished with five catches for a season-best 107 yards…Was his first 100-yard game of the season, ninth of his career and second consecutive 100-yard Thanksgiving Day game…(12/6) at NYG: Led the team with 14 receptions for 156 yards, marking his second career back-to-back 100-yard performance and his club tight end record 10th of his career...His 14 catches gave him 502 for his career, making him the sixth tight end in league history to reach 500 career catches, doing so in the second-fewest games (107)…(12/9) vs. NO: Recorded five catches for 44 yards to give him 5,772 for his career, allowing him to secure 10th on the NFL's all-time tight ends receiving yards list…(12/27) at Was.: In the playoff-clinching win, led the team with 117 receiving yards (six catches) with a career-long 69-yard catch…Made his 100th career start and his 11th career 100-yard game…Postseason: (1/3/10) vs. Phi.: Finished with six catches for 76 yards with one TD as the team clinched its 17th NFC East Division title…Finished with 1,030 yards, his second 1,000-yard receiving season and the second time in club history a tight end has reached 1,000 yards (Witten in 2007 with 1,145)…His six receptions gave him 94 for season, the third-most at any position in a season in club history…Became just the third tight end in league history to post multiple 90-catch and 1,000-yard seasons (2007 and 2009)...He joined Gonzalez (2000, 2004, 2007 and 2008) and Todd Christensen (1983 and 1986) as the only tight ends to accomplish the feat...(1/17/10) at Min.: Led the team with postseason career bests in catches (10) and yards (98)…His 98 yards were second by a tight end in club postseason history...Recorded 293 postseason receiving yards - 12th all-time in team postseason history…His 10 catches were second by a tight end in a playoff game in club history.
2008 (with Dal.): Earned his fifth consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl, leading the team and finishing sixth in the NFC and second among tight ends with 81 receptions for 952 yards…Those marks ranked second on the team, 13th in the NFL and second among tight ends…Also posted and four TDs…Became the fifth tight ends in league history to have 60-or-more catches in five consecutive seasons and the 10th tight end to have back-to-back 70-plus reception seasons…Joined WR Michael Irvin as the only two Dallas pass catchers with three seasons of at least 80 catches and joined WR Terrell Owens as the only players in team history to record back-to-back 80-catch seasons…(9/7) at Cle.: Led the team with 96 yards to become the sixth player in club history to reach 4,000 career receiving yards and a team-high tying six catches in the season opener…(9/15) vs. Phi.: Finished the game with team highs for receptions (seven) and yards (110)…(9/28) vs. Was.: Tied for the team lead with seven catches for a team-best 90 yards with his first TD of the season, tying TE Jay Novacek for 10th in club history with 22 TD catches…(11/2) at NYG: Played with a broken rib suffered the previous week and failed to catch a pass for the first time in 74 games…(11/27) vs. Sea.: On Thanksgiving Day, finished with a team and season-high nine catches for 115 yards and a TD…Became the fifth Dallas pass catcher to reach 400 career receptions…(12/20) vs. Bal.: Led the team with 87 yards and a TD, the final Cowboys TD at Texas Stadium, while tallying five catches in the final game at Texas Stadium…(12/28) at Phi.: Led the club with seven catches for 50 yards and completed his first career pass attempt for 42 yards to Terrell Owens after taking a lateral from QB Tony Romo.
2007 (with Dal.): Put together the most prolific pass catching season by a tight end in club history to date, establishing then-franchise tight end records for catches (96 - third in the NFC) a career best in receiving yards (1,145 - 14th in the league, second among tight ends) and a then career-high seven TDs...Named to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl, good for the second-most by a tight end in club history (TE Jay Novacek, five)…Was one of a league-record 13 Cowboys to play in the all-star game…Also earned All-NFL Team honors by the Pro Football Writers…Became the eighth tight end in league history to record at least 60 receptions in four consecutive seasons…(9/23) at Chi.: Added six catches for 90 yards and a TD to pass 3,000 career receiving yards, the fourth tight end in franchise history to accomplish that feat, joining TE Doug Cosbie (3,728), Novacek (3,576) and TE Billy Jo DuPree (3,565)…(11/20) vs. GB: With six receptions (65 total), marked his fourth consecutive season with 60-or-more catches to become the eighth tight end in NFL history and first in team history to accomplish that feat...(12/16) vs. Phi.: Added 113 yards on eight catches to become the first tight end in franchise history to record back-to-back 100-yard games…The Eagles game allowed him to pass 1,000 receiving yards on the season, the first time in team history and 13th time in NFL history that a tight end topped 1,000 receiving yards in a season.
2006 (with Dal.): Continued his emergence as one of the NFL's elite tight ends, earning his third consecutive Pro Bowl appearance after ranking second in the NFC, sixth in the NFL among tight ends with 64 catches and 754 yards…Became the first tight end in Cowboys history to have at least 60 receptions in three consecutive seasons, and one of just 10 tight ends in NFL history to accomplish that feat…(10/8) vs. Phi.: Recorded his 200th career catch with four catches for 51 yards…(10/29) at Car.: Logged a season-high seven catches for 80 yards and a TD in QB Tony Romo's first career start…(1/6/07) at Sea.: In his second career playoff game, had a team-high 57 receiving yards.
2005 (with Dal.): Became the first Dallas tight end to have at least 65 receptions in consecutive seasons and was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl, the fourth club tight end to have made multiple Pro Bowl appearances – TEs Jay Novacek (five), Doug Cosbie (three) and Billy Joe DuPree (three)…Among tight ends, finished third in the NFC and sixth in the NFL with 66 receptions; fourth in the NFC and seventh in the NFL with 757 receiving yards; and fourth in the NFC and tied for sixth in the NFL with six TDs…(12/11) vs. KC: Posted a season-high 93 yards and a TDs on seven catches.
2004 (with Dal.): In just his second pro season, became the first Dallas tight end to make the Pro Bowl since TE Jay Novacek in 1995, leading the team with 87 catches and a then career-high six TD catches…The 87 catches ranked first in the NFC and second in the NFL among tight ends…Joined TE Doug Cosbie as the only tight ends to lead Dallas in receptions in a season…Was second on the team with 980 receiving yards, 12th in the NFC and 27th in the league, while finishing first among NFC tight ends and second among league tight ends…(9/27) at Was.: Scored his first TD of the season on a 10-yard catch…(10/24) at GB: Led the team with eight catches for 112 yards and a TD, the first 100-yard receiving game by a Dallas tight end since 1995…Had a long 42-yard TD reception against the Packers, the longest catch by a Dallas tight end since Cosbie's 61-yard TD reception at the Giants on Oct. 30, 1983…(10/31) vs. Det.: Set a season-high with nine catches, the most by a Dallas tight end since Novacek had 11 against Green Bay on Jan. 8, 1995…Added 84 yards and a TD…(11/17) vs. Phi.: Set season-highs for receiving yards (133) and TDs…Moved past Cosbie's club tight end record for receiving yards in a season (793 yards) on his first catch, and his second catch moved him past Novacek's club tight end record for receptions in a season by a tight end (68 receptions), finishing the game with a team-high six catches for 66 yards.
2003 (with Dal.): Finished his rookie season with 35 receptions, fourth among rookies and tops among rookie tight ends…(9/7) vs. Atl.: Made his NFL debut and first start in the season opener, when the Cowboys opened with two tight ends and logged his first career catch,for 13 yards…(10/5) vs. Ari.: Tied for the team lead with four receptions for 41 yards before suffering a fractured jaw in the fourth quarter…(11/27) vs. Mia.: Posted season highs of eight receptions and 58 yards - the most receptions in a game by a Dallas tight end since TE Eric Bjornson had eight at San Francisco Nov. 10, 1996…(12/21) vs. NYG: Had one catch, a season-long 36-yard reception that resulted in his first career TD to give Dallas a 10-3 lead in a game Dallas won 19-3 to clinch a playoff berth.
COLLEGE: Left Tennessee after his junior season but still finished third all-time among the school's tight ends with 68 career receptions and fourth all-time with 797 receiving yards….As a junior, set single-season school records for a tight end in receptions (39) and receiving yards (493) with five TDs…Selected as a consensus All-Southeastern Conference pick after leading the conference's tight ends in receptions and receiving yards while also being an Academic All-SEC pick…Played in every game as a sophomore, including three starts, and finished third on the team with 28 receptions for 293 yards (10.5 yards-per-catch) and two TDs…Because of a shortage of players, was moved from defensive end to tight end as a freshman and backed up TE John Finlayson and played in 11 games, with two starts…Was an Arts and Sciences major at Tennessee.
PERSONAL: Attended Elizabethton (Tenn.) High School, where he was a consensus All-America selection at linebacker by PrepStar, Parade, Gridiron Greats, USA Today, Blue Chip Illustrated, and Street and Smith…Also played tight end, adding 26 receptions for 345 yards and 14 TDs…Averaged 15.0 points and 12.0 rebounds per-game for the basketball team…His wife, Michelle, is an emergency room nurse at a local hospital in Dallas…They have two sons, C.J. and Cooper, and two daughters, Landry and Hadley…Named the 2012 Walter Payton Man of the Year for his contributions to society off-the-field while handling himself in an exemplary fashion in uniform…2012 Bart Starr Award Recipient for character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community.
SINGLE-GAME HIGHS: RECEIVING: Receptions – 18, 10/28/11 vs. NYG. Yards – 167, 10/28/11 vs. NYG. Long – 69, 12/27/09 at Was. Touchdowns – 2, five times; last: 9/13/15 at Cle.
