Tony Romo Injury: Updates on Cowboys Star's Back and Return

Brandon GalvinNov 6, 2014

Tony Romo has been recovering from a back injury suffered during the Cowboys' loss to the Redskins in Week 8 on Monday Night Football.

Romo underwent testing on his injured back
Jerry Jones, Jason Garrett and Romo speak on quarterback's season status and toughness
Romo's out for Week 9, status unknown for Week 10

Continue for updates.

TOP NEWS

Thursday, Nov. 6

Romo on Playing Sunday: "There's a Chance"

Kevin Patra of NFL.com and Joe Trahan of WFAA provide a statement from Romo discussing his recovery:

"
The team has been optimistic all week that the veteran quarterback would be able to play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars after he made the nearly 9 1/2-hour flight to London. Thursday marked the first proof of that optimism.
'We'll see. I think we'll take it day by day, and see what happens when we move closer,' Romo told reporters. 'It's improving each day, and I think if we did some things today that are positive, and if it keeps going in that direction, there's a good chance.'
"

Romo's Status for Today's Practice Revealed

Sky Sports' Richard Graves provides statements from head coach Jason Garrett and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones discussing Romo's status for practice and Sunday:

Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News provided details from practice:

Wednesday, Nov. 5

Romo's Status for Today's Practice Revealed

Sky Sports' Richard Graves confirms Tony Romo is not practicing, courtesy of head coach Jason Garrett.

Tuesday, Nov. 4

Romo Makes Trip to London

David Moore of The Dallas Morning News provides a synopsis of Romo dscussing how the flight to London impacted his back injury:

Sunday, Nov. 2

Romo Ruled Out for Week 9

David Helman of DallasCowboys.com announced the Cowboys' decision:

Will Romo Play in Week 10?

Following Sunday's game, Jerry Jones spoke about Romo's status for Week 10, via Joe Trahan of WFAA and Desmond Purnell of NFL Network:

Saturday, Nov. 1

Romo Reportedly Diagnosed with Two Fractures in Back

Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com reports Romo's diagnosis as Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the quarterback's status for tomorrow's game:

Former NFL head team physician David J. Chao, MD, ESPN injury analyst Stephania Bell and FanSided's Josh Sanchez provide further clarification on Romo's diagnosis:

"
Romo has 2 fractured transverse process in back.Yikes.For those (like me) who dont know what a tranverse process is pic.twitter.com/B0jHPL7DZF
— Josh Sánchez (@jnsanchez) November 1, 2014"

Why was Romo Allowed to Return in Week 8?

ESPN's Ed Werder explains the decision to let Romo return to play against the Redskins:

Friday, Oct. 31

Romo's Status for Week 9 Revealed

"The Dallas Cowboys have officially listed starting quarterback Tony Romo as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals," states Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News.

Jerry Jones Discusses Possibility of Brandon Weeden Starting

Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk provides a statement from the Cowboys' owner:

"
Jones said Romo is loosening up his back today and looks OK, but we'll have to wait until we see whether Romo's name is on the inactive list before kickoff to learn whether Romo or Brandon Weeden is the starter.
'He's moving around, been in the meetings today,' Jones said on KRLD. 'We make that decision at game time when it’s day to day. We turn that in, obviously you've got your 53-man roster and you've got to turn your actives in within an hour before the game, and that's when you'll know.'
"

Jason Garrett on Romo's Recovery: "Taking it Day-by-Day"

Dan Hanzus of NFL.com relays Garrett's comments:

"
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett told reporters prior to practice on Friday the team will closely monitor the quarterback's movement in practice.
'We're going to see what he's able to do today in practice,' Garrett said. 'Getting his rehab, getting his treatment and really taking it day-by-day, so we'll see what he's able to accomplish.'
Garrett had hoped to see Romo make some progress in Thursday's practice, but he acknowledged Friday that Romo "did not do a whole lot." The Cowboys will need to see Romo moving better before making him the starter in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals.
'Obviously, we have to see him move around at some point before the game starts, so hopefully he can do something today," he said. "We'll have a walk-through tomorrow, and we still got about 48 hours until the game, so we want to give him every chance.'
"

Thursday, Oct. 30

Jason Garrett Optimistic Romo Will Play in Week 9

Nick Eatman of Cowboys.com relayed Garrett is "certainly" optimistic. Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and ESPN's Ed Werder provide a synopsis of Garrett discussing Romo's recovery:

How Will Romo be Protected if He Plays in Week 9?

David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reports Romo will wear extra padding if he plays in Week 9:

"
The equipment staff will sew a patch of padding into the T-shirt that Romo wears under his equipment to help protect the injured area in his back. The club has taken a similar approach with right tackle Jermey Parnell, who has played the last two games with a rib injury.
Romo already wears a jacket to protect his ribs and has extended the pad level surrounding his lower back by three inches since his latest back surgery 10 months ago.
"

Wednesday, Oct. 29

Garrett Discusses Romo's Recovery

Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News provides Garrett's comments:

Cowboys Beat Writers Report on Romo's Recovery and Week 9 Status

ESPN's Ed Werder, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com and Calvin Watkins of ESPN provide insight on Romo's recovery:

Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Confirms Romo Won't Miss the Season

Machota, Clarence Hill and Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram provide Jones' comments:

Romo on Week 9: "You've Got to Wait and See"

David Moore of the Dallas Morning News provides a statement from Romo:

"
If it turns out to be just the pain tolerance, I will play. That part has never been an issue. But you've got to wait to see.
It will be about your ability to be productive in some fashion. That part of it, we will continue to evaluate. ...
... At a certain point there needs to be a shift in the way you feel that shows you're able to do the fundamental things that need to get done. From there, you need to get the doctor's clearance.
You take those steps and go.
"

Tuesday, Oct. 28

Garrett Confirms Romo Will Undergo Testing

Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports and Joe Trahan of WFAA.com provide Garrett's comments:

Experts Weigh In on Romo's Injury

Bleacher Report's Will Carroll, ESPN's Ed Werder and Matt Mosley of ESPN 103.3 provide their thoughts and reports on Romo's status following Week 8:

Monday, Oct. 28

Tony Romo Exits with Back Injury, Later Returns to Cowboys' Loss to Redskins in Week 8

Quarterback Tony Romo is seemingly always the subject of on-field controversy, but the Dallas Cowboys were without their maligned signal-caller for some time due to injury during a 20-17 overtime loss to the Washington Redskins in Week 8.

According to the ESPN Monday Night Twitter account, Romo suffered a back injury in the third quarter:

"
Romo appeared to take a knee to his surgically repaired back on that last sack. #MNF pic.twitter.com/OX78LkSiF0
— ESPN Monday Night (@ESPNMondayNight) October 28, 2014"

Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports added:

With 1:52 remaining in the fourth quarter, Romo returned, per NFL.com:

After the Cowboys 20-17 loss, NFL.com and ESPN's Mike Sando provided an update:

As for next week? Romo believes he'll play according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com:

Romo, 34, has often been criticized for his lack of playoff success, but he has been statistically productive in the regular season since becoming Dallas' starter in 2006. He has four seasons of at least 4,000 passing yards, six seasons with 26 or more touchdowns through the air and three Pro Bowl nods to his credit.

Even though Romo is prone to making mistakes in big moments, there is no question he is the Cowboys' best option under center. Romo's health was a major question mark entering the season, so this situation doesn't necessarily come as a big surprise.

After undergoing back surgery in December, Romo faced a lengthy rehabilitation process. He was able to make it back in time for part of the preseason, but he seemed to be less than 100 percent when the regular season commenced.

Per Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson believed that Romo's back was still hindering him in August:

"
It's been OK. I think the deeper the ball goes down the field, it's a little bit more inconsistent. He's thrown all the intermediates—the fours and the seven routes and the deep outs—have been fine. It's just the nine routes and the deep posts. Those things have been a little inconsistent. I think that's all due to his back.
"

Wilson's theory gained some credibility in Week 1 when Romo struggled to the tune of three interceptions in a Dallas loss to the San Francisco 49ers. It was blatantly obvious Romo was both rusty and somewhat limited compared to what he is usually able to do.

After that performance, Babe Laufenberg of CBS 11 expressed his opinion that Romo would be negatively impacted by his back throughout 2014:

Romo missed practice following a Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans, and he admitted he would have to monitor his back on a day-to-day basis, according to Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com:

"
It's going to pop up. I'm sure it'll happen throughout the rest of the season. You'll see a day here or there. It's the same as the arm. Sometimes your arm gets (tired). It's just obviously more talked about because of having surgery on the back. You play this game. It's a very violent, physical game, and you throw the ball a lot and you do all these things. Sometimes it's just that tightness stuff comes up. You prefer obviously to do everything 100 percent of the time, but you can't always do that. I'll be fine.
"

With so much uncertainty surrounding Romo's status, the Cowboys invested in a backup plan this past offseason. Dallas signed former Cleveland Browns first-round pick Brandon Weeden, who stepped in for Romo on Monday.

Weeden didn't work out as a full-time NFL starter in Cleveland, although he has a good skill set. He also has a dynamic supporting cast with the Cowboys in the form of wide receiver Dez Bryant, tight end Jason Witten and running back DeMarco Murray.

Weeden was 4-of-6 for 69 yards and a touchdown in relief on Monday.

Being without Romo isn't ideal, but Weeden could keep Dallas' head above water provided he is able to utilize the weapons around him and limit mistakes.

Romo doesn't often get much respect, but that could change if the starter is forced to miss more time and Weeden struggles.