The Dallas Cowboys have the chance to win the NFC East title on Sunday with a win over the Philadelphia Eagles and the biggest question about their Week 17 matchup will be whether quarterback Tony Romo plays or not and while he has not been ruled out yet, it looks like Kyle Orton will get the chance to start the game in his place.
According to ESPN.com, Romo was out of practice on Thursday and while that isn't a good sign for the quarterback, it doesn't mean he is ruled out for the game on Sunday. The Eagles and Cowboys come into the game with a winner take all for the east division title and a playoff berth and it looks like Orton will be under center if Romo can't get it done. Romo is considered a tough quarterback and he has played with injuries numerous times in his career, including just last week when he was noticeably injured in the win against the Washington Redskins.
Romo has still not been ruled out yet for the game, but it sure looks like he will be, as he has not attended meetings for the team and has also missed practice with his injury and so far that appears to be the only thing keeping him from starting on Sunday.
The Dallas Cowboys still have a huge decision to make when it comes to Sunday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC East division title and the health of Tony Romo could help decide the outcome, as Kyle Orton could end up starting in his place and here is more from Reuters.com: Cowboys say that Tony Romo has not been ruled out of Sunday's crucial regular season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, though one major media outlet claimed that the quarterback's season was done and dusted.
ESPN reported on Tuesday that Romo was diagnosed with a herniated disc in his back and had an epidural injection after apparently aggravating a back injury during Sunday's 24-23 win against the Washington Redskins.
Citing "sources close to the quarterback", ESPN said that Romo was unlikely to return to competition in such a short time and that he had been advised to have surgery.
If three-time Pro Bowl selection Romo is sidelined on Sunday, back-up quarterback Kyle Orton will start against the Eagles in a winner-take-all showdown that will decide the NFC East champion and a berth in the playoffs.
"He (Romo) is going through treatment ... if that treatment has positive implications, and it certainly has a chance ... he should not be ruled out in any way for this game," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told Dallas radio show on Tuesday.
"On the other hand, we paid a lot of money for just this very circumstance, should we be in a situation ... when Tony couldn't play. That's why we signed Kyle Orton for over $10 million three years ago, just for this very occasion.
"Kyle's got a very strong arm, he's very experienced. If required, he'll be able to step in and do as good of circumstances as you could expect."
Orton, 31, has not started a National Football League game in two years but Jones believes the back-up quarterback knows the Dallas system as well as Romo.
"We're in as good of shape under these circumstances as you possibly could be in," Jones said. "I have every reason to think, if needed, Kyle Orton could step out there and really do a good job for us."
A former starter for Chicago and Denver, Orton has completed three-of-five passes for 40 yards in two games for the Cowboys this season. (Reuters)