Add Jerry Jones to the list of members of the Dallas Cowboys’ organization unwilling to rule out Tony Romo for the regular season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night.
Romo reportedly will miss the rest of the season with a back injury suffered against the Washington Redskins. The injury is reportedly a herniated disc that will require surgery that will keep him sidelined the rest of the year.
Head coach Jason Garrett quickly disputed the notion that Romo’s status has been determined. During his Monday press conference, Garrett said the plan was for Romo to get treatment on his injured back but wouldn’t declare him out in a must-win game for the Cowboys.
Jones furthered those statements by saying that Romo could be cleared to play against Philadelphia.
“All I’m saying is he has back spasms, symptoms that we’re treating as we go along in the week to see if he will play,’’ Jones said, via David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. “There is nothing structurally that will rule him out if he feels good and is cleared to play. Nothing.’’
Jones wouldn’t speak to the exact nature of the injury or whether it will require surgery. It could just be an attempt from the Cowboys to keep the Eagles guessing as to who will start for them in Sunday’s battle for the NFC East title.
If Romo can’t play, Kyle Orton will get the start for the Cowboys. Orton is 12 for 15 for 129 yards and a touchdown in limited duty since signing with Dallas in 2012.