Cowboys: Jason Witten sets NFL record for TEs

Cowboys' Jason Witten made six catches Sunday against the Saints to set a single-season record for receptions by a tight end with 103. The previous record of 102 was held by Tony Gonzalez.

By Nick Eatman

Dec 23, 2012 at 6:00 pm ET • 1 min read

Cowboys' Jason Witten broke Tony Gonzalez's record Sunday for single-season catches by a tight end. (US Presswire)

The season began with such frustration for tight end Jason Witten. It’s now going to end up as the best statistical season for a tight in NFL history.

Witten surpassed Tony Gonzalez’s record of 102 catches in a single season with six receptions Sunday against the Saints. Witten entered the game with 97 grabs, and he now has 103 thanks to a pair of catches in overtime of a 34-31 loss to the Saints.

Proud of the record, Witten had a hard time giving it complete attention after the heartbreaking loss.

“You’ve been here 10 years, you would have rather it come in a different way when you can go out and have a win and enjoy it. It’s something that special,” Witten said. “Obviously, there’s been a lot of good tight ends play for a long time here. I have so much respect for the game and this position, to break that, it’s special, probably more so this year because of the way the season started for me. It’s something I’ll remember for a long time. But obviously, my priority now is trying to help our team win a game, and I feel upset about it because we came up a little short.”

Back in training camp, Witten wasn’t even sure he would play at all this season after lacerating his spleen in the preseason opener. While he rallied to play the first game against the Giants, Witten was not himself, catching just two passes for 10 yards. And after three games, he had just eight receptions and a handful of drops.

As his health improved, Witten started becoming Tony Romo’s favorite target once again. Against the Bears, Witten had 13 catches and then a whopping 18 against the Giants, which set an NFL record for most receptions in a game by a tight end.

Against the Falcons on Nov. 6, Witten surpassed Michael Irvin (750) as the Cowboys’ all-time reception leader.

Witten now has his sights set on Irvin’s single-season Cowboys record of catches at 111, which he set in 1995.

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