Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo underwent offseason back surgery and suffered two transverse process fractures this season. Now, fans also know that he has been playing through a broken rib for the last two months.
Romo said that he believes he suffered the injury in either the Sept. 21 game against the St. Louis Rams or the Oct. 5 game against the New Orleans Saints. Unfortunately for Romo, this is not the first time he's played through such an injury. In 2011, Romo stayed on the field throughout the season despite a broken rib and punctured lung. In 2008, he faced off against the Philadelphia Eagles with a cartilage tear in his ribs.
"It'll be nice when it's just about the back [surgery] instead of all the other junk," Romo said.
Romo noted that his back is nearly healed and that his ribs are in much better shape than they were earlier in the season. His game wear has been outfitted with extra protection for his ribs and a longer back plate to shield his body from additional punishment.
Romo rebounded from a tough Thanksgiving Day loss to the Eagles to complete 21 of 26 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns last night against the Chicago Bears. He was sacked just once in the 41-28 victory.
"I took a [pain-killing] shot this week," Romo said. "I didn't last week in the Eagles game, and that was a poor decision I think."
The Cowboys will travel to Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 14 for a crucial game against Philly. The outcome will likely decide Dallas' playoff chances.
"I'll probably start on Philly a little tonight on the plane," Romo said. "Then from there I think I'll probably do a little bit of work [Friday] during the day. I'll go ahead and get some treatment and ... take off Friday night and Saturday and probably come back on my own on Sunday."
Romo has been criticized often in the past for his late season stumbles and lack of playoff success. Regardless of what happens the rest of the season, no one can question the quarterback's toughness.
