IRVING, Texas - Blood leaked through a bandage on their quarterback's chin during post-game interviews and the team's starting running back was having his ribs x-rayed. Believe it or not, the Cowboys actually dominated Sunday's game in Cleveland, a 28-10 win.
During one drive in the third quarter, Tony Romo took a grimacing shot from three Browns and Marion Barber left for the locker room with bruised ribs. On a second and five from their own 30, Romo threw an incompletion toward Barber and was hit on the chin by the helmet of Browns linebacker Willie McGinest.
The quarterback picked himself up to complete a 19-yard first down pass to Jason Witten the very next play and eventually finished the game, 13 stitches and all. He had an x-ray too, on his left, non-throwing hand after the game. The x-rays were negative for both players.
"He didn't seem to be bothered by it," head coach Wade Phillips said of Romo's busted-up chin. "Those games can change quickly, and if you get very conservative you can even lose a lead even if you're ahead 21 points. I was comfortable with him in there. I didn't think about taking him out really."
He and Barber are expected to practice this week and should be ready for next Monday's game against Philadelphia. Phillips said the running back shouldn't need to wear a flak jacket or other extra protective equipment for the Week Two matchup, assuming he heals from the bruises as expected.
Phillips said linebacker Anthony Spencer (knee) and receiver Miles Austin (knee) are scheduled to return to practice this week. The Cowboys were without two starters against Cleveland, cornerback Terence Newman (groin) and left guard Kyle Kosier (foot).
While Kosier remains confined to a walking boot, both Newman and Jerry Jones said the cornerback will play against the Eagles. Cory Procter started in place of Kosier and Adam "Pacman" Jones filled in for Newman, who made the trip to Cleveland but was ruled out Saturday night.
Austin, Spencer, Kosier and receiver Sam Hurd (ankle) did not make the trip. Hurd was out of his walking boot Monday for the first time since sustaining a high ankle sprain in the preseason finale. He said his goal is to resume running Wednesday. He couldn't set a date for a return, however.
"It hasn't been going backwards," Hurd, the team's No. 3 receiver, said. "It hasn't been more sore one day than the other. It's just been getting better every day. I keep trying to tell them I'll be back tomorrow. I'm going to heal faster than most.
"It's the worst thing ever to be sitting there in the bed injured and see your team going out there fighting. I'm glad they won because it made it a lot easier."
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