Tony Romo Has Broken Back Bone, Dak Prescott Expected to Start
How much longer can Tony Romo play in the NFL with multiple back injuries?
A back-breaking hit in the Dallas Cowboys third preseason game has put Tony Romo’s future in jeopardy.
The 36-year-old quarterback was hit in the back after scrambling for a first down against the Seahawks. Romo laid on the ground for several minutes, and was taken into the locker room for further evaluation.
Romo’s injury is not to the same bone he broke in his back during the 2014 season, which he played through. He’s expected to miss 6-10 weeks with the fracture to his L1 vertebrae.
Tony Romo has a compression fracture of his L1 vertebrae, per @toddarcher, an injury that could sideline him 6-10 weeks.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 27, 2016
Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott is expected to lead the charge for Dallas to start the season. Dallas will most likely be seeking a back-up quarterback to sit behind Prescott, as Kellen Moore and Jameill Showers are the only other options on the roster.
Jets quarterbacks Geno Smith and Bryce Petty could potentially be names on the trade block as the preseason comes to a close next week.
Tony Romo only played four games last season after breaking his collarbone multiple times. Without their franchise quarterback on the field, the Cowboys finished with only four wins behind a motley of incapable back-ups.
The lack of wins resulted in Dallas drafting Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall pick back in April.
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Dallas starts their season with back-to-back divisional games against the Giants and Redskins. A strong start to the season is critical to the Cowboys competing in a tight NFC East.
Should Romo be ready to play after six weeks, he’d be on track to face the Philadelphia Eagles on October 30 at home in prime time.