Tony Romo is full-go in training camp, but don't expect the Dallas Cowboys' starting quarterback to suit up against the Miami Dolphins in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 4.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett told a local radio station Friday that his starting quarterback is likely to stay in bubble wrap in Canton, Ohio.
"It's one of those deals where I suppose he could play five plays or whatever, but we might lean to no plays," Garrett told KRLD-FM. "But the clock starts on our '1's' in Week 2 of the preseason. So (Week 1 is) not going to be Tony's game."
The Cowboys have the benefit (if you see it that way) of playing five preseason contests, meaning Romo has plenty of time to develop chemistry with his targets. He has been full-go in training camp and looked sharp Friday, completing 21 of 32 passes in 7-on-7 drills, per ESPNDallas.com. Romo has been fully recovered from April surgery to remove a cyst from his back.
Garrett hinted that backup Kyle Orton also might be held out, saying, "That's going to be a Nick Stephens game and an Alex Tanney game."
The Cowboys play the Oakland Raiders in their second preseason game Aug. 9.
The Hall of Fame Game is a joy because it ushers football back into our lives, but it's rarely a sexy affair. It's no surprise Romo -- and a cast of starters -- likely will watch this one from the sideline.
UPDATE: Garrett insisted Saturday, via The Associated Press, that the Cowboys haven't talked about playing time for the Hall of Fame Game. ESPN also cited sources close to Romo in reporting that the quarterback wants to play, even if it's not for long.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
