Jon Kitna is officially back in the NFL.
The Cowboys announced the move to bring back their former backup quarterback on Wednesday, leaving them with a veteran behind Kyle Orton should Orton start on Sunday night against the Eagles. The team is still hopeful that Tony Romo will be able to play after receiving an epidural injection in his injured back, but needed a third quarterback to cover themselves in case he can’t go.
The 41-year-old Kitna has been out of the NFL since 2011, when he served as Romo’s backup. The Cowboys did not work Kitna out before signing him, choosing to pluck him directly from his teaching and coaching role at a high school in Tacoma. They worked out John Skelton, Tyler Thigpen, David Carr and Richard Bartel on Tuesday before opting for a familiar face.
Returner Micheal Spurlock was cut to make room for Kitna on the active roster. Spurlock helped spur the Cowboys to an early lead last week with a 62-yard punt return inside the Washington 5-yard line that set up a DeMarco Murray’s touchdown.