IRVING, Texas - Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said quarterback Tony Romo's injured back felt "a lot better" Monday morning, and he was able to participate in a portion of the team's afternoon walk-through.
Barring a setback, Phillips is confident Romo will be ready Thursday against Oakland - only three days removed from taking a knee to the back while making a tackle in the first quarter against Washington.
Romo (15-of-27, 158 yards, one touchdown, one interception) did not miss a snap and threw the winning 10-yard TD pass to Patrick Crayton with 2:41 remaining.
"I've always felt that no matter what's wrong with you - as long as it's not something like a broken bone or something that's going to keep you out by missing time - I've always felt that in the adrenaline of the game you can always do it," Romo said afterward.
Phillips said backup Jon Kitna could get some extra practice reps this week depending on how Romo feels. He wouldn't hold Romo out Thursday simply to rest him for the season's stretch run, however.
"No, not if he's ready to play, and we think he will be," Phillips said. "He said he felt better than he did in the game."
Tight end Jason Witten (foot) did not participate and inside linebacker Keith Brooking (ankle) was limited. Phillips said he would be cautious this week with any player who is banged up.
Jenkins Better
Starting cornerback Mike Jenkins (elbow/head) also did not participate in Monday's walkthrough but said before practice he expects to play against Oakland.
Jenkins said he re-aggravated his bruised biceps on the same type of tackle that caused the original injury Nov. 15 at Green Bay, but he was able to return. On Washington's final drive in the fourth quarter, he got knocked woozy while trying a different tackling technique.
"I tried to switch it up but I hit my head," he said. "No, I'm good."
Still Confident In Folk
Kicker Nick Folk missed only seven of 53 field goal attempts in his first two seasons. He has missed five in 10 games this year (14-of-19), including one in each of the last two games.
But Phillips said he believes in his place-kicker.
"Well, I mean you're always concerned, but I have a lot of confidence in him," Phillips said. "He hardly misses anything in practice. I think it's just getting his confidence back. He just needs to hit one and then he'll be fine, I believe.''
Roster Moves
Allen Rossum's work with the Cowboys consisted of only one kickoff return for 16 yards.
The veteran return specialist, who has been battling a hamstring injury since his debut on Oct. 25, was released on Monday. The Cowboys re-signed cornerback Cletis Gordon to take his spot on the 53-man roster.
Gordon played in San Diego (2006) when Phillips was the Chargers' defensive coordinator, and he spent one week on the Cowboys' roster in early October.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also signed rookie quarterback Rudy Carpenter off the Cowboys' practice squad.
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