Dallas Cowboys: Tony Romo Should Not Play Against the Rams

On Saturday night, the St. Louis Rams visit Cowboys Stadium in the third preseason game. Traditionally, this is the game where starters see more playing time and may even play into the third quarter. But with so many injuries around the offense, Tony Romo shouldn’t consider playing in this meaningless game.

Romo is a veteran quarterback going into his third season under Jason Garrett’s offense. He’s also without the weapons that he will have once the season starts: Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten will all be missing Saturday night. On top of that, the Cowboys’ offensive line has their own depth issues.

Former Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe was on The Herd with Colin Cowherd this morning. He spoke on how many preseason snaps a veteran quarterback needs in the NFL:

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As a veteran, not very many. You want to go out there and look good, look precise and get a little work in game situation.

But other than that, you only need a few series to feel like you’re ready to go in.

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Does Tony Romo need to be out there against the Rams? No. What more will he gain from playing with Dwayne Harris and Cole Beasley as his wideouts? Sure, one of them might become his slot receiver, but neither will be out on the wing in Week 1.

The luxury of having a veteran like Romo is that these snaps aren’t needed. Unlike guys like RGIII and Andrew Luck, Romo has seen enough scenarios, coverages and blitzes that he should be ready for the season opener by now.

Not to mention the possibility of him getting hurt behind that offensive line. Cowboys Nation cringed at the sight of Romo being hit in the first preseason game. Fans would rather lose an arm than find out No. 9 went down in a game that doesn’t count.

I’d sit Romo and let him patrol the sidelines in a baseball cap and t-shirt. He has very little to gain by playing again this preseason, even if it’s only the Rams. Sure, the fans in Arlington will be bitter that their signal-caller isn’t on the field. But they’ll riot if he’s laying motionless on the turf.

Rob Brown is a correspondent for Bleacher Report and the primary writer for www.CowboysVsRedskins.com.