Tony Romo Injury: What His Broken Clavicle Means for Cowboys

Things couldn’t get much worse for the Dallas Cowboys.

If a 1-4 start wasn’t bad enough, the Cowboys looked on as Romo was driven into the ground and stayed there holding his left shoulder.

He was eventually removed from the game with what the team was calling a left shoulder injury. Little did they know the news would get worse, as the injury is now being called a “broken clavicle” which will keep him out for the remainder of the season.

After Romo’s departure, having already thrown one touchdown pass, Jon Kitna came in as the team’s backup and didn’t fare much better. If Kitna can’t handle the starting duties, the Cowboys could go looking for a replacement and there could be no shortage of names on the list.

Most people here, in Dallas, were already of the opinion that the Cowboys were long out of the Super Bowl hunt, but, with the right replacement, maybe they could come from a long shot to a frontrunner, at least for the wild card.

No. 10: Jon Kitna Will Be The Backup, For Now

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SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 21: Quarterback Jon Kitna #3 of the Dallas Cowboys in action during the pre-season NFL football game against San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on August 21, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Jon Kitna, at least for now, will be the starter for the Dallas Cowboys.

No. 9: Ground Game Might Get Leaned on a Little More

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Felix Jones #28 of the Dallas Cowboys rushes past defensive end Mario Williams #90 of Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

The running game has been the one thing that has been lacking for the Dallas Cowboys. All the pressure has been put on Tony Romo to carry this team.

With him out of commission, guys like Felix Jones and Tashard Choice could take on a bigger role in the offense.

No. 8: Defense Is Going to Have to Step Up

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SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 21: Line backer DeMarcus Ware #94 of the Dallas Cowboys in action against San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on August 21, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

If the Cowboys end up hanging on to Jon Kitna as their starter with Romo lost for the season, it's going to put more pressure on the defense to hold teams to less points.

Their offense isn't going to put up nearly the production they have before.

No. 7: Even a Wild Card Spot Could Now Be Out Of Reach

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys lies on the field after a left shoulder injury in the second quarter against the New York Giants at Cowboys Stadium on October 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Mart

It's not like the Dallas Cowboys were playing well to begin with, but this just wasn't an injury they could afford.

Now that the injury has come, and insult has been added to injury, the Cowboys and owner Jerry Jones may have to face facts that even a shot at the wild card may be out of reach.

No. 6: Could Be The Last Straw For Wade Phillips

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MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 17: Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips looks on during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Cowboys 24-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross

Wade Phillips has been on the hot seat for some time now. But with this, added to an already bad season, could Jerry Jones be forced to make a move and fire Wade Phillips?

Though this season could be lost, maybe you start fresh for next season or at least see what a new coach brings you for the remainder of this season.

No. 5: Time To Start Thinking About Next Season

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HOUSTON - AUGUST 28: Owner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys stands on the field before the Cowboys play the Houston Texans in a preseason game at Reliant Stadium on August 28, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Back to old drawing board for Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys' front office.

This year is, arguably, a lost season so why not start making preparations for next year?

No. 4: Is Romo The Right Guy For The Future?

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys drops back to pass against the New York Giants in the first quarter at Cowboys Stadium on October 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

I know this may be rubbing salt in the wound or kicking a man when he's down, but is Tony Romo the right guy to lead this team in the future or should Jerry Jones start looking at the college quarterbacks coming up and draft his next quarterback?

No. 3: Time To Scour The Free Agent Market For a Quarterback

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Quarterback Matt Leinart #7 of the Arizona Cardinals watches from the sidelines during preseason NFL game against the Washington Redskins at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Car

Jon Kitna is not the guy for the long term, so it might be time to see who's available. The Cowboys are going to need a better quarterback than Jon Kitna to lead them the rest of the season.

Matt Leinart is a guy you could look at, or a few other backups around the NFL looking for a starting gig.

No. 2: Bandwagon Will Really Start To Thin Now

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SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 21: Fans of Dallas Cowboys cheer during the pre-season NFL football game against San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on August 21, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The Dallas Cowboy bandwagon had already started to thin a few weeks ago but that might have been thanks in part to the Texas Rangers who are set to begin Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday night.

Now that Romo is out, that bandwagon might really start to empty.

No. 1: All The Attention In Texas Will Really Shift

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: The Texas Rangers celebrate on the field after defeating the New York Yankees 6-1 in Game Six of the ALCS to advance to the World Series during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2010 in Arli

This is normally a football town, but with everything the Texas Rangers are going through, the local radio stations hardly talk about the Cowboys anymore.

Now that the Cowboys' season could be officially over to a certain extent, any mention of the team now may just be in passing.