Romo Misses Cowboys Practice As Others Return
IRVING (CBSDFW.COM) - The much-injured Dallas Cowboys are slowly working their way back to full health. Three key players returned to the practice field on Friday morning after getting hurt last Sunday during the team's comeback win over the San Francisco 49ers.
The Cowboys may have taken Sunday's game in overtime, but they walked away from the field with a laundry list of battle wounds. It looks as though some of those injuries might be healing, just in time for a key matchup with the Washington Redskins on Monday night at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
Receiver Dez Bryant, running back Felix Jones and offensive lineman Phil Costa all hit the field Friday during the first 20 minutes of Cowboys practice, when the media is permitted to observe. Jones had hurt his shoulder and Costa was out with a knee injury. Bryant, the biggest question mark heading into Monday, had a hurt thigh.
Noticeably missing from the Friday practice was quarterback Tony Romo, who has been nursing a rib injury and torn lung. Romo was at the team's Thursday practice – which was the first since Sunday's game – though he did not fully participate.
Romo's presence on the field Thursday led many to expect that he would be ready in time for Monday. "I fully expect him to play," said backup quarterback Jon Kitna on Thursday. Coach Jason Garrett maintains that Romo's status is day-to-day.
Romo did return to Sunday's game after sustaining the injury, and it is certainly not out of the question that he will be fully healed in time for Monday night. Romo was awarded the NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor after Sunday's comeback victory.
Also missing from both the Thursday and Friday practices was receiver Miles Austin, who is out with a hamstring injury. He is expected to miss the next two games, despite scoring a career-best three touchdowns on Sunday, while in pain.
