CHICAGO — Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has been enduring more than a sore back.
Romo said late Thursday night after the 41-28 win against the Bears that he’s also played with a rib injury for almost two months.
Romo said he had a fractured rib, but sources said Friday that the quarterback misspoke. Romo actually has torn rib cartilage, the sources said, and not a break.
The rib injury no longer bothers Romo, according to one source.
Romo had back surgery in late December 2013 to repair a herniated disk in his back, and for the last five weeks he’s played with two small fractures in the transverse processes of his back.
Romo said the fractures in his back are almost healed.
“It’ll be nice when it’s just about the back improving instead of all the other little junk,” Romo said.
This isn’t the first time Romo has played through a rib injury. In 2011, Romo suffered a fractured rib and punctured lung in a Week 2 win at San Francisco but didn’t miss any games. Romo also suffered torn rib cartilage in the 2008 season finale against Philadelphia.
Romo’s torn rib cartilage is a reoccurring issue for him that’s likely related to his 2011 rib injury in San Francisco, one source said, and was aggravated this season after he took a hit in a game.
Rib cartilage injuries can take three to four months to heal.
Romo said Thursday night he was unsure when he suffered the rib injury. But the injury started bothering Romo in October.
NFL teams are required to disclose injuries. Romo has been listed on the club’s official injury/practice report all season, but only for his back. Romo’s rib injury has never appeared on the report.
As is common practice, the NFL is looking into whether the Cowboys violated the league’s injury reporting rules by not disclosing Romo’s rib injury for their official injury/practice report.
However, a precedent with the Cowboys was set on this late last season. After the Cowboys’ Week 16 win at Washington, owner Jerry Jones revealed that Romo had been playing with a pre-existing back injury that hadn’t been disclosed.
The NFL looked into the matter but cleared the Cowboys of any wrongdoing.
According to the NFL’s injury report policy, “All players with significant or noteworthy injuries must be listed on the report, even if the player takes all the reps in practice, and even if the team is certain he will play in the upcoming game.”
A team is subject to a fine if the league finds it did not comply with the rules.
Romo has been wearing extra protection for his ribs and back. He’ll get some rest this weekend before the Cowboys return to practice Tuesday to prepare for Round 2 against the Eagles.
A week ago, Romo played after only four days of rest. He posted his worst quarterback rating in 80 starts in a Thanksgiving Day loss to Philadelphia.
Romo said he didn’t take a pain-killing shot before the Eagles game but did take a shot before Thursday night’s win over Chicago.
Romo was much sharper against the Bears, finishing 21 of 26 21 passing for 205 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.
“It just didn’t feel as good [last week],” Romo said of his back. “We were probably protecting it a bit last week, but this week was different. It felt good.”
Romo said late Thursday night after the 41-28 win against the Bears that he’s also played with a rib injury for almost two months.
Romo said he had a fractured rib, but sources said Friday that the quarterback misspoke. Romo actually has torn rib cartilage, the sources said, and not a break.
The rib injury no longer bothers Romo, according to one source.
Romo had back surgery in late December 2013 to repair a herniated disk in his back, and for the last five weeks he’s played with two small fractures in the transverse processes of his back.
Romo said the fractures in his back are almost healed.
“It’ll be nice when it’s just about the back improving instead of all the other little junk,” Romo said.
This isn’t the first time Romo has played through a rib injury. In 2011, Romo suffered a fractured rib and punctured lung in a Week 2 win at San Francisco but didn’t miss any games. Romo also suffered torn rib cartilage in the 2008 season finale against Philadelphia.
Romo’s torn rib cartilage is a reoccurring issue for him that’s likely related to his 2011 rib injury in San Francisco, one source said, and was aggravated this season after he took a hit in a game.
Rib cartilage injuries can take three to four months to heal.
Romo said Thursday night he was unsure when he suffered the rib injury. But the injury started bothering Romo in October.
NFL teams are required to disclose injuries. Romo has been listed on the club’s official injury/practice report all season, but only for his back. Romo’s rib injury has never appeared on the report.
As is common practice, the NFL is looking into whether the Cowboys violated the league’s injury reporting rules by not disclosing Romo’s rib injury for their official injury/practice report.
However, a precedent with the Cowboys was set on this late last season. After the Cowboys’ Week 16 win at Washington, owner Jerry Jones revealed that Romo had been playing with a pre-existing back injury that hadn’t been disclosed.
The NFL looked into the matter but cleared the Cowboys of any wrongdoing.
According to the NFL’s injury report policy, “All players with significant or noteworthy injuries must be listed on the report, even if the player takes all the reps in practice, and even if the team is certain he will play in the upcoming game.”
A team is subject to a fine if the league finds it did not comply with the rules.
Romo has been wearing extra protection for his ribs and back. He’ll get some rest this weekend before the Cowboys return to practice Tuesday to prepare for Round 2 against the Eagles.
A week ago, Romo played after only four days of rest. He posted his worst quarterback rating in 80 starts in a Thanksgiving Day loss to Philadelphia.
Romo said he didn’t take a pain-killing shot before the Eagles game but did take a shot before Thursday night’s win over Chicago.
Romo was much sharper against the Bears, finishing 21 of 26 21 passing for 205 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.
“It just didn’t feel as good [last week],” Romo said of his back. “We were probably protecting it a bit last week, but this week was different. It felt good.”