The Dallas Cowboys are hopeful that quarterback Tony Romo can start against the Cardinals in Week 9 after injuring his back and missing practice this week and fantasy football owners will be watching closely, while RB DeMarco Murray is set to be the top start option for fantasy owners despite playing a great run defense with Arizona coming in.
Romo came into the week after getting hit hard in the back in the game on Monday night against the Redskins and while he had to leave the game, he was able to return later in the matchup. According to ESPN.com, Romo sat out of Thursday's practice and while he has missed time, the team is hopeful that he will be able to play in the game against the Arizona Cardinals. The loss against the Redskins snapped a winning streak for the Cowboys and if Romo can't start, it will be Brandon Weeden under center for the team.
Romo has had a very solid start to the season and he has been completing nearly 70 percent of his passes and has put up 1998 passing yards and 15 touchdowns with just six interceptions. Weeden came into the game on Monday night and was able to complete 4-of-6 passes for 69 yards and a touchdown in the loss against the Redskins.
Weeden came into the game for Romo last week and played until he returned and head coach Jason Garrett has said that Romo has not been ruled out of the matchup yet heading into the weekend. Romo dealt with back issues this offseason and Garrett said that the injury was not related to the disc issue he previously had surgery on. The Cowboys may end up relying more on DeMarco Murray if Romo can't go or is limited, as he has been a workhorse for the team and for fantasy football owners this season.
Murray is on a record pace this season and he has more rushing yards and carries than anyone else in the league at this point. Murray is going to shatter his previous career highs with what he has done this season and he already is just 11 carries away from his 2013 total. Murray is coming into free agency and that will be a major question for the Cowboys, but right now they are happy riding him as long as he keeps running this well. Murray has 1054 yards on 206 carries this season and he is averaging over five yards per carry to go along with seven touchdowns.
Murray has eight 100-yard games already this season and that means he has had at least 100 yards in each game he has played to start the year, which is a new record. Murray is on pace for just over the record set by Eric Dickerson and he is in line for 2,108 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns this season. Murray has never played in a full slate of games and he is looking to start in all 16 after playing in a career best 14 games last season. Murray had 1124 yards last season and nine touchdowns and he is already very close to getting past those career marks.