With the postseason on the line, the Dallas Cowboys haven't ruled out Tony Romo for the NFC East title game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas is hopeful an epidural injection will allow for Romo to play on Sunday, ESPN reports.
Romo told reporters he suffered the back injury after taking a hit in the first half against the Washington Redskins. The 33-year-old veteran finished the game and guided the Cowboys to a 24-23 win, but tests later indicated Romo had a herniated disk and would need surgery.
Despite the initial prognosis, the Cowboys declined to say Romo was finished for the season and hope an epidural injection will make the injury manageable enough to play.
"Sometime after the Cowboys returned to Dallas following their victory at Washington on Sunday, quarterback Tony Romo received an epidural injection to relieve pain and reduce inflammation related to the herniated disk in his lower back, according to sources," ESPN's Ed Werder and Todd Archer wrote on Tuesday.
While it typically takes two or three days to determine if the injection was successful, ESPN sources close to Romo are doubtful he will healthy enough to play.
"I would be very, very surprised if he got back on the field," one source told ESPN.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sounded optimistic about Romo returning by Sunday and, like coach Jason Garrett, refused to rule out the quarterback.
"If you know Tony, you can't imagine what a competitor he is, and he doesn't want to miss a snap," Jones said during his radio show on Tuesday, via USA Today Sports. "He was very disappointed, particularly disappointed for his team, repeated over and over again, 'Jerry, I can't tell you how badly I feel relative to you and relative to my teammates.'"
Jones added: "Tony will play with all the pain. But his doctor has to clear him."
Garret said Romo is day-to-day and undergoing treatment. Backup Kyle Orton is receiving first-team reps at practice and will start against Philadelphia if Romo is unable to go.
