Redskins vs. Cowboys: Will Tony Romo Survive Monday Night Football?

After Michael Vick was rushed back from a concussion and clearly looked out of sorts during the Philadelphia Eagles' loss to the New York Giants on Sunday, some have wondered whether or not the Dallas Cowboys are putting injured quarterback Tony Romo back into action too soon.

Romo suffered a broken rib and a punctured lung in the Cowboys' 27-24 overtime win against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2. The 31-year-old quarterback was hit seven times and sacked once in that game, and the 49ers aren't known to have a particularly ferocious pass rush.

During Dallas' Week 1 loss to the New York Jets, the Cowboys allowed four sacks, and Romo was hit five more times. That's a lot of punishment for a quarterback to take through just two weeks of the season.

Tonight against the Washington Redskins, the Cowboys need to step up and protect their franchise quarterback. If Romo somehow gets hurt again, the barely-capable Jon Kitna will be all that stands between Dallas and disaster. Would you want Kitna to be your only hope for a winning record? I didn't think so.

I believe Romo will tough it out and survive the game tonight, but it will not be easy. With Felix Jones still hampered by a shoulder injury, fellow running backs Tashard Choice and DeMarco Murray must step up and get Dallas some yards on the ground.

Barring a setback, Jones is likely to play, but even with him, the Cowboys are currently averaging just 54.5 rushing yards per game, which puts them 30th in the NFL.

That terrible running game is what has allowed Dallas' opponents to pin their ears back and go after Romo hard. The Cowboys need to make the Redskins respect the run, or their quarterback could be in real trouble tonight.

If the Cowboys can establish the run early, it will take a lot of pressure, and heat, off of Romo.