NFL roundup: Cowboys' Romo reportedly out for season
Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett insisted quarterback Tony Romo's status for Sunday night's regular-season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles has not been determined despite reports that a back injury suffered against the Washington Redskins in Week 16 will end Romo's season.
Garrett said he had not spoken Monday to Romo, who was undergoing an MRI and receiving treatment. Multiple reports said the MRI revealed a herniated disc that will require surgery.
If Romo is sidelined, it is a major blow for the Cowboys, who host the Eagles on Sunday, with the winner taking the NFC East title. The Cowboys are 8-7 and will miss the playoff if they lose to the Eagles (9-6).
Kyle Orton is expected to be the Cowboys' starting quarterback in Romo's absence. Orton played in just two games this season, completing 3 of 5 passes. Last season, Orton played in just one game.
---Cowboys inside linebacker Sean Lee was not medically cleared by doctors after missing the past two games with a sprained neck.
"He's taking it day by day," Garrett said.
---The Denver Broncos confirmed that linebacker Von Miller is out for the season with a torn ACL in his right knee.
Miller was injured Sunday in the first quarter of the Broncos' 37-13 win over the Houston Texans.
Surgery will be scheduled in about two weeks and a recovery time of six months is expected.
---Oakland Raiders coach Dennis Allen announced that Terrelle Pryor will be the Raiders' starting quarterback for their regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos.
Pryor began the season as the Raiders' starting quarterback, but was replaced by Matt McGloin, who started the last six games for Oakland.
--- Although the Green Bay Packers had no update on quarterback Aaron Rodgers, they did say on their website that they plan to announce a decision on his status earlier than they in past weeks.
The past two weeks, the Packers waited until Friday to announce that Matt Flynn would be the starting quarterback.
Coach Mike McCarthy suggested that announcement will come earlier in the week this time.
Rodgers has not played since suffering a broken collarbone on Nov. 4.
---McCarthy had no update on the thumb injury that forced Packers linebacker Clay Matthews out of Sunday's game. "The training staff didn't feel very good about Clay," McCarthy said.
---Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera said wide receiver Steve Smith is "highly doubtful" to play in the regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons due to a sprained left knee.
Smith is considered week to week with a sprained PCL. He was injured during the Panthers' 17-13 win over the New Orleans on Sunday.
---New Orleans Saints rookie safety Kenny Vaccaro is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday to repair a broken ankle and is out for the season.
Saints coach Sean Payton said an MRI revealed a clean break. Vaccaro was injured Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
---Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Alan Branch signed a contract extension with the team. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Branch matched his career best with his 35th tackle this season in Sunday's 19-0 win over the Miami Dolphins. He has fortified the Buffalo run defense, starting 12 of 15 games entering Week 17.
---Chicago Bears coach Marc Trestman made it clear after Sunday night's game that Jay Cutler will start the regular-season finale against the Green Bay Packers.
Trestman said "no question there" that Cutler will start over Josh McCown as the winner of next Sunday's game claims the NFC North title.
---The Jacksonville Jaguars made several roster moves, placing defensive tackle Brandon Deaderick (elbow) and defensive tackle Roy Miller (shoulder) on injured reserve and adding defensive tackles Drake Nevis and Kyle Love to the 53-man roster.
