Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was forced from Monday’s game against the Washington Redskins after an apparent back injury with 7:50 to play in the third quarter, but the veteran quarterback, known for playing through serious pain, returned with 1:52 left in the fourth quarter to lead an unsuccessful overtime drive.
Backup Brandon Weeden threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Jason Witten early in the fourth to tie the game at 17. Romo was seen on the sideline talking to team physician Dr. Dan Cooper before re-entering. After a six-play drive led to the end of regulation, Colt McCoy directed Washington to Kai Forbath’s 40-yard field goal in overtime and Dallas couldn’t respond. The Cowboys (6-2) had one last chance, but didn’t get a first down. Romo’s final pass on fourth down was knocked away by Bashaud Breeland.
Jerry Jones said after the game that Romo had a back contusion and no structural damage.
Romo was hit in the back by Redskins linebacker Keenan Robinson, who came untouched on a blitz on the Cowboys’ opening possession of the second half. Romo stayed down on the field for a number of minutes as he was tended to by the team’s medical staff.
Romo was on his back but was turned to his side by the doctors as they evaluated him. Dr. Drew Dossett, who performed surgery on Romo’s back this past December, was among those tending to Romo.
He was taken directly to the locker room but was able to slowly walk off under his own power.
Romo was hurt in a win last December at Washington but was able to finish the game. He needed surgery days later, setting in motion a series of events that kept the quarterback off the field the entire offseason and limited in training camp.
After a sluggish start to the season, Romo and the medical staff altered the quarterback’s practice schedule. Romo has not practiced on Wednesdays the past five weeks as he has continued to strengthen his back.
The time off has helped Romo on game days. Before last week’s game against the New York Giants, Romo took a Toradol shot for his sore ankle and ribs, and he completed 17 of 23 passes for 279 yards and three touchdown passes.
Robinson’s sack was the fourth of Romo by the Redskins, matching the most allowed by the Cowboys all season. He was sacked four times in a Week 2 win at the Tennessee Titans. Romo had completed 13 of 21 passes for 183 yards and threw a second-quarter touchdown pass to Dez Bryant before exiting. It was the 36th straight game in which Romo threw a TD pass, tying for the fifth-longest streak in NFL history.
Jones said after the game that Cowboys linebacker Justin Durant suffered a torn right biceps during the game and is out for the year.
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