INDIANAPOLIS — With the league gathered for the NFL Scouting Combine, the Cowboys made perhaps the high-profile acquisition of the offseason by pulling tight end Jason Witten out of the ‘‘Monday Night Football’’ booth and back onto the field.
Witten ended his retirement after one season, agreeing to return to the team for which he posted 1,152 catches for 12,448 yards. He retired last year to join the ‘‘MNF’’ booth as a color analyst and got mixed reviews.
‘‘The fire inside of me to compete and play this game is just burning too strong,’’ Witten said in a statement. ‘‘This team has a great group of rising young stars, and I want to help them make a run at a championship.
‘‘This was completely my decision, and I am very comfortable with it. I’m looking forward to getting back in the dirt.’’
Among tight ends, only 2019 Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez has more career catches and receiving yards.
Gould call ‘easy’
The decision to put the franchise tag on kicker Robbie Gould was ‘‘very easy,’’ 49ers general manager John Lynch said.
The sides had hoped to agree to a long-term contract before the 49ers tagged him, but Lynch said he’s hopeful they can reach a deal before the mid-July deadline. If they don’t, Gould will play 2019 on a one-year contract worth about $5 million, the highest salary among NFL kickers.
Gould is off the market for the Bears, who are looking to replace Cody Parkey.
‘‘He makes a lot of kicks,’’ Lynch said. ‘‘He’s solid as a rock, and that’s why we’ve been working on that. I don’t want to negotiate in the public — I don’t ever like doing that — but I can tell you that we are huge fans of Robbie Gould. He’s been as consistent as they come. I’ve known Robbie for a long time, and I knew that about him. We’re very hopeful.’’
Murray measured
The most meaningful measurement of the combine came when Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray was ruled to stand 5 feet, 10 1/8 inches tall. Murray is a top-10 talent, though some questioned whether his college listing of 5-10 was deceiving.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, by contrast, is a half-inch taller than Murray.
Murray’s hands measured 9½ inches, a half-inch bigger than Missouri quarterback Drew Lock’s. Lock stands 5 inches taller.
WR Thomas arrested
Free-agent receiver Demaryius Thomas, who was released last month by the Texans, was arrested on allegations that include felony vehicular assault stemming from a crash Feb. 16 in Denver.
Thomas was taken into custody after turning himself in Wednesday and also was also being held on
allegations of reckless driving and not having proof of insurance.
