Tony Romo's status is in doubt for the Dallas Cowboys' win-or-go home season finale.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that Romo has a herniated disk in his back, according to a source who has spoken with the player. It's believed that the injury eventually will require surgery, but it's too early to definitively know his status. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett would not rule out Romo for Sunday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
"He's been getting treatment all today," Garrett said Monday. "He'll continue to get it and we'll evaluate it on a day-by-day basis. We'll see what his status is Wednesday for this coming week."
Rapoport's source believes it is "unlikely" that Romo will be able to suit up. The winner of the Eagles-Cowboys game will win the NFC East title, the third straight year the Cowboys have faced a "win-and-in" Week 17 scenario. Kyle Orton will start at quarterback if Romo can't play, but Garrett would not rule Romo out for the season when pressed on the topic.
"Again, we'll just evaluate what happened in the game," Garrett said. "Obviously, he was able to play through it and play very well at the end of that ball game. We evaluated it last night after the game and again this morning. He's getting treatment and the MRI was part of the evaluation. There's going to be a series of different things we do for his treatment over the next few days and see how he responds to it."
Orton is one of the highest-paid backups in football, but the Cowboys' offense might have to put up 40 points to keep up with Philadelphia's fast-break offense Sunday night.
The severity of Romo's injury is surprising because Romo was able to complete Sunday's win over the Washington Redskins. The injury appeared to occur with over 11 minutes remaining on a third-down throw to Miles Austin. Romo led the Cowboys to 10 points after the injury, including the game-winning touchdown drive. Romo was able to meet with the media after the game.
The league is looking into the fact that Romo wasn't on the injury report with his back injury, according to Rapoport. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said after the game, "He really had a little of it in practice."
Garrett indicated Monday that the Cowboys likely will sign another quarterback this week. The team has carried just two quarterbacks on the active roster since the Cleveland Browns recently signed Alex Tanney away from Dallas' practice squad.
There are two division titles being decided in Week 17: The NFC East and NFC North. The health of Romo and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers figures to dominate headlines in the meantime.
*The latest "Around The League Podcast" broke down every Week 16 game. *
