Tony Romo Could Miss 6-10 Weeks With Back Injury

Tony Romo left the Cowboys' preseason game Thursday and could be out 6-10 weeks with a back injury.

Troy Wayrynen
USA Today Sports

Image via USA Today Sports

Troy Wayrynen

Tony Romo reportedly left the Cowboys' preseason game against the Seahawks Thursday with a back injury, prompting the "typical injury-prone Romo" reaction from some fans. Romo walked off under his own power, though, and it appeared the injury wasn't severe. A tweet from CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, however, implies this injury might in fact be very serious and could cost Romo as many as 6-10 weeks.

The Cowboys discovered a fractured verterbae in Tony Romo's back. Expected to miss 6-10 weeks. Wow

Romo had an MRI Friday, and the Cowboys learned the results later that night. Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said Romo won't miss the whole season, but he couldn't give a timetable on his return. It's important to note that ESPN is reporting that despite the findings of the MRI, the Cowboys are not ruling Romo out for Week One.

It seems Dallas does not yet know how long it will take Romo to recover, or at least the Cowboys don't want their competition to know.

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has said he isn't ruling out Romo for Week 1 but I am hearing Romo likely to be out beyond that
Romo has 2 weeks to heal before season starts. Cowboys have a bye in Week 7. Open with division rivals NYG and WSH
Best estimate could be a return for Romo after the Cowboys bye week

Some believe Romo, 36, will never again play a full NFL season. He played in only four games last year, and his last 16-game season came in 2012. While he is out, rookie quarterback Dak Prescott will take over as the starter.

Prescott, a fourth-rounder from Mississippi State, has turned heads this preseason.​ He is leading the NFL in preseason passing yards with 454, and he has thrown 5 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. He has completed 39 of 50 passes.​ Granted it's the preseason, but some were already calling Prescott the Cowboys' quarterback of the future.​

Schefter (@espn980) says many talent guys in NFL are fully sold on Prescott as #Cowboys QBOTF.

If Romo is healthy, he's unquestionably the starter. But while he's out, we'll have a real opportunity to see what Prescott is made of. With Ezekiel Elliott in his backfield, the Cowboys could be a fun team to watch early this season.

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