London, England (SportsNetwork.com) – Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo did
not practice Wednesday in preparation for Sunday’s game against Jacksonville
because of an injured back that kept him out of last week’s game against
Arizona.
Romo participated in a walk-through at the team’s hotel, but did not make the
trip to the practice field. Brandon Weeden, who started last Sunday’s 28-17
loss to Arizona, took all the first-team reps on Wednesday.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett is hopeful Romo will be able to practice some time
this week. Romo, who underwent back surgery last year, has skipped practice
most Wednesdays this season.
“He’s following the normal schedule, but also listening to his body,” said
Garrett on Wednesday. “We had a good productive walk-through at the hotel, and
we anticipate him adopting that schedule that we’ve had for most of the year.”
Romo was hurt in the third quarter of an overtime loss to Washington on Oct.
27, although he did return for the final series of regulation and Dallas’ lone
possession of overtime.
The Cowboys initially said Romo had a contusion, but further tests eventually
revealed two transverse process fractures. The transverse process is a small
bony projection off the right and left side of each vertebrae.
Garrett said Romo stayed at the hotel on Wednesday for treatment.
“It’s always a medical decision first,” Garrett added. “We as coaches, the
football people, we’re more interested in function. How is the player
functioning? We’ll look at him, he might say this, the doctor might say this,
but what we see is this. And we give our feedback, too, and we make a
collective decision as to what’s right for the player and what’s right for the
team.
“Hopefully, Tony will be able to move around (Thursday) and get some work in,
and build from there.”
If Romo is unable to play Sunday, he’ll have extra time to rest with the
Cowboys on their bye next week.
