NFL PLAYER NEWS

Cowboys haven’t ruled Romo out for season opener

The Sports Xchange

August 30, 2016 at 10:55 am.

Aug 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) walks off the field after getting injured during the first quarter during a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Photo Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) walks off the field after getting injured during the first quarter during a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Photo Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes the question of how long quarterback Tony Romo could be out, there seems to be no right answer.

Like most questions in which variables can be applied, the answer depends on who you ask.

Head coach Jason Garrett has yet to rule out Romo for Week 1 against the New York Giants. Players are preparing as if Romo could miss up to 10 weeks with a fracture in his back.

Owner Jerry Jones, historically an eternal optimist when it comes to Romo, said the Cowboys truly “just don’t know” when Romo might play again.

That complicates the Cowboys’ current challenge — whether to place Romo on injured reserve with a designation to return.

“I don’t know and don’t know that anybody does,” Jones said. “It’s quite a range there, probably four to six (weeks), six to eight, eight to, I just don’t know. The bone should heal relatively quick and then he’ll just need to get that back in good strength and we’ll go from there.”

Rookie Dak Prescott has created a buzz with strong play against mostly backup defenders in preseason. It’s a positive the Cowboys did not have last season, when Romo went down and the season went up in flames.

“There’s no doubt. That’s reality. You can feel it and you can see it. … We’ve got a lot of energy here and we can win with this. We’ve got a chance to develop that energy, that asset so to speak, with Dak, and have both, because Tony will be back.”

Romo, 36, was injured Saturday when he was hit by Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril. He missed 12 games last season and the Cowboys went 4-12.

Rookie first-round pick Ezekiel Elliott said Prescott has been impressive in preseason action, but said the tandem will have to “grow up fast” for the Cowboys to be successful.

“He doesn’t ever seem to get flustered no matter what’s going on. He just seems so calm when he’s in the game,” Elliott said.

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