IRVING, Texas – Owner/general manager Jerry Jones hasn't conceded that his starting quarterback is done.
Jones said on his weekly radio show on 105.3 FM "The Fan" that Kyle Orton will be ready if needed, but Romo has demonstrated his willingness and ability to play through pain, and that could still happen again this week if his doctor clears him.
"He is going through treatment, beginning yesterday," Jones said. "If that treatment has the positive implications that it certainly has a chance to have, he should not be ruled in any way for of this game."
Jones reiterated that it will ultimately be up to Romo's doctor to decide if the quarterback's physically able to play. The owner wouldn't get into the medical details of Romo's back injury, but if Romo is cleared, he could play Sunday in a win-or-go-home game against the Eagles.
Romo talked briefly about his injury after leading a comeback win against the Redskins and made it seem as if the back problem was a minor issue entering the game, but Jones said the injury happened solely during the game at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
That injury didn't stop Romo from leading a game-winning drive, capped by a touchdown pass to DeMarco Murray on fourth down.
"Pain won't stop him.," Jones said. "Pain as a symptom of something that a doctor might say we don't advise him to play, that's different.
"We've seen him do it and win big when you might say the normal person would have folded. As to his symptoms and how that relates to where he is as far as the doctor's concerned, that's where this counts the most this week. Tony will play with all the pain you want to deal him, but his doctor has to clear him."
[embedded_ad]
Jones said the Cowboys paid a lot of money several years ago to handle these types of circumstances by signing Orton.
"That's why we signed Kyle Orton for over $10 million dollars three years ago just for this very occasion," Jones said. "Kyle's got a very strong arm, he's very experienced. He's going to really be able to step in. If required, he'll be able to step in and do as good of circumstances as you could expect."
Romo won't need practice this week to step in and play on Sunday if he gets cleared. Jones got a call from Romo after the news of the injury and said the quarterback was clearly disappointed, but the owner's emotions immediately went to Orton. Jones believes the backup quarterback is experienced enough with the system to handle the duties.
Jones said it is what is is, and people who aren't prepared to be dealing with injury information and a sudden change of plans are in the wrong area.
"We're in as good of shape under these circumstances as you possibly could be in," Jones said. "I have every reason to think, if needed, Kyle Orton could step out there and really do a good job for us. We've planned on that very event."
