Cowboys Still Quiet on Romo’s Status for Eagles Game

There's no change in Tony Romo's status with the Cowboys.

At least not yet.

But after stating Romo wouldn't practice earlier this week, coach Jason Garrett was asked again if the team might make a decision regarding Romo this week as he has continued to experience soreness in his back.

"Certainly you want your quarterback to practice during the week," Garrett said prior to Thursday's practice. "Tony's played a lot of football for us, so you would give him more leeway than most."

Romo didn't attend practice, team meetings or the game-plan session on Wednesday and he didn't practice on Today either.

Kyle Orton took all the first-team reps at practice.

Romo's back isn't the only back up down on the ranch.  Dez Bryant tweaked his back during Wednesday's practice, he did practice on a limited basis Today.  He caught some passes Thursday and then did some rehab work while the rest of the offense practiced.

Everything on the line

Both Philadelphia and Dallas will have plenty on the line when they take the field for Sunday's regular-season finale as a victory would assure not only the Eagles the NFC East title, but the third seed (Dallas would be the four seed if they win the game) in the conference and a wild-card round home-game that comes with that. The team that loses the game has a long off-season ahead with plenty of questions to be answered.

The stakes couldn't be higher, but that doesn't mean Romo will play if he is not ready.

"Backs tend to kind of impact your whole body and how you can function in just day-to-day life," Garrett explained.  "Hopefully he'll respond to some of the treatment and feel better as the week goes on."

If Philadelphia winds up the No. 3 seed in the playoffs it would host a home game against one of three teams. If the Panthers beat the Bucs, Carolina would be the No. 2 seed, meaning either Arizona or New Orleans would be the No. 6 seed. If the Eagles defeat the Cowboys, the winner of the Bears-Packers game would be the No. 4 seed and host the No. 5 side.  If Seattle losses its game vs. St. Louis and San Francisco wins its game with Arizona, the 49ers would be the division champs and earn the NFC's top seed..

Note

• Speaking in a Thursday radio interview, Cowboys ILB Sean Lee (sprained neck) confirmed he'll be out for Sunday's game against the Eagles.