Can Tony Romo protect his collarbone?
After breaking the left clavicle three different times over the last five years, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback is planning to undergo surgery to have the bone plated, a source with knowledge of the injury told NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.
On Tuesday, Stephen Jones, Cowboys CEO and executive vice president, told the team's official website that Romo and the Cowboys are "leaning hard" toward surgery, but added a final decision had not been made.
ESPN first reported the development.
Romo told reporters last week that he would undergo a CT scan on his injured shoulder. Per Rapoport, the scan is to determine the strength of the bone and whether it can withstand a plate and screws. If the surgery is successful, it could go a long way toward preventing another fracture.
The injury arguably cost the Cowboys a potential shot at the playoffs this season. Romo played in just four games in 2015, going 3-1 as a starter. He rushed back from the initial break and was reinjured in a Week 11 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Until Dallas drafts or signs another starting caliber QB, there is no doubt that the success of the team depends on whether or not Romo is healthy. The myth that their excellent offensive line could carry them through ended up being just that. The run game alone -- especially without DeMarco Murray -- was not enough to save a season that began with so much promise.
Romo seems to have high hopes for the immediate future, and told reporters recently that "there's no question, I'll be able to play for a while." A reinforced collarbone could go a long way toward making that statement come true.
