Jerry Jones opens door to possibility of Tony Romo being active for Dallas this week
Even though rookie quarterback Dak Prescott has led the Dallas Cowboys to seven straight wins after Sunday’s drubbing of the Cleveland Browns, there is one ever-present question hanging over the team: what will happen when Tony Romo is healthy?
After the win in Cleveland, Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones was asked again about Romo, who broke a bone in his back in a preseason game and hasn’t played since. Romo has been practicing on a limited basis for two weeks, but after the Cowboys’ overtime win against the Eagles two Sundays ago, Jones quickly said Romo would not be activated for the Browns game.
On Sunday night, Jones cracked the door just a bit.
“Unlike last week, I wouldn’t speculate,” Jones said, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I don’t know. But he will do more. And he’s really doing things that are strong relative to last year’s strength. He’s ahead of last year.”
But while Jones, who loves a headline, teased the idea of Romo being ready, NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport tweeted Monday morning it’s a longshot:
#Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told reporters Tony Romo could be active this week. But from my understanding of his rehab, that’s a big stretch.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 7, 2016
Monday and Tuesday, Tony Romo will focus on conditioning & change-of-direction. May not even practice fully this week. Doesn’t sound ready.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 7, 2016
Jones had to be asked twice on Sunday about who will be Dallas’ starting quarterback once Romo is cleared to play; the first time he was asked he declined to answer. The second time, he gave a non-answer answer.
“Well you didn’t ask a bad question,” Jones said. “I just didn’t answer your question. We’ve got a great luxury, a wonderful problem to have. We’ve got some real talent at our quarterback position. I think Tony Romo is one of the best quarterbacks that have played this game. My real regret would be to have had him here and not won a Super Bowl with him. He’s that talented. And now look at Dak and how he’s playing, his future, so I just don’t have a problem with this situation.”
Previously, Jones has said he would be inclined to stay with the hot hand, which would be Prescott. On Sunday, the fourth-round pick completed 21-of-27 passes for 247 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Cowboys’ 35-10 win.
