Medical logic says that Tony Romo will not be playing in the crucial Week 17 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The quarterback has reportedly been ruled out with a back injury suffered against the Washington Redskins. Romo likely suffered a herniated disc and will require surgery in the offseason. However, while the medical news is not positive, both Jason Garrett and Jerry Jones are unwilling to rule the quarterback out just yet.
Garrett continues to stress that Romo's status is unknown. Even while the team is bringing in quarterbacks for a workout, the head coach is still confident that Romo might be able to play. As of now, the Cowboys are running with backup Kyle Orton, but are not declaring Romo down for the count. Garrett confirmed the Cowboys would sign another quarterback early in the week, but that is no indication that Romo is officially out.
Jones echoed those statements. The plan is for the quarterback to get treatment this week and hopefully be cleared to play by Sunday. Jones disputed reports that Romo was suffering from a herniated disc, instead referring to the injury as back spasms that he has had for awhile.
"All I'm saying is he has back spasms, symptoms that we're treating as we go along in the week to see if he will play,'' Jones said, via David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. "There is nothing structurally that will rule him out if he feels good and is cleared to play. Nothing.''
The Cowboys could always be playing coy in order to try and avoid giving Philadelphia an added boost of confidence. Right now, Orton is the man for the job. The backup is 12 for 15 for 129 yards and touchdown in his limited action this season. He signed a three-year, $10.5 million deal in 2012 to play backup for Romo. The Cowboys gave him $5 million up front so there must be some confidence that Orton can help the team advance to the postseason.
Orton has not done much lately, but he has a resume of success. He won 10 games with the Bears back in 2005. In four seasons there he was 15-2 at home. He led Denver to a 6-0 start back in 2009 before cooling off and giving way to Tebowmania. He has seen almost no playing time with the Cowboys, so there could be some rust, but he has some talent that might come out for one game.
