Cowboys giving Witten more time

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said the team is giving tight end Jason Witten time and space to decide whether he wants to continue his career or retire to take a job in television.

ESPN has offered Witten a job to be its game analyst on “Monday Night Football,” and he’s leaning toward taking the position, according to sources.

Jones said there was no timetable on the Witten decision.

“He needed his time. If it takes two more weeks, it takes two more weeks; if it takes a month, it takes a month. He deserves it. So he can make the best decision for Jason Witten.”

CHARGERS: Los Angeles exercised its fifth-year contract option for 2019 on running back Melvin Gordon.

Gordon finished fifth in the NFL with 1,581 yards from scrimmage during the Chargers’ relocation season, while his 1,105 yards rushing were seventh in the league.

JAGUARS: Jacksonville declined to exercise the fifthyear option in defensive end Dante Fowler’s rookie contract.

The decision could mean Fowler, the third overall pick in the 2015 draft who had eight sacks last year, will become a free agent in 2019.

EAGLES: The Super Bowl champions signed veteran wide receiver Markus Wheaton to a one-year deal on Wednesday, adding depth to their wide receiver corps.