Tony

Romo

Romo got lit up by Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner in the first quarter, a clear shot to the ribs. He was definitely shook up, but didn’t miss any plays. “My back is fine. My rib cartilage might have something to say about it, but we’ll see,” he said afterward. Romo has played through rib issues before and we’d be surprised if his Week 7 status came into doubt.

Romo will be the Cowboys’ IR/designated for return player. He’ll miss at least the first six games, and could be sidelined until midseason. Dak Prescott will open the year as Dallas’ starter, with Mark Sanchez as the No. 2 quarterback.

Romo is thought to have a slight edge over Drew Henson because of his familiarity with the system. The Cowboys need to keep Vinny healthy.

This is a strong indication that Romo, not Henson, could earn a start or two to close out this season. Coach Bill Parcells said Romo is a candidate to be the team’s starter next year.

“Everyone has thrown [Romo] aside mentally, but I haven’t,” Parcells said. There is even some talk that if the Cowboys were to fall out of the playoff race, it would be Romo starting whatever games remain. Either Romo or Drew Henson could go to Europe this offseason to get some experience.

Drew Henson will get a chance to play if the game is out of hand either way.

Bill Parcells, however, is tired of answering questions about how much Romo will play. “I don’t want to talk about hypothetical. I don’t even want to talk about the quarterback,” Parcells said when pressed for what that situation might be. “I told you what I was going to do. There is a good chance I’m going to try to get him in the game.”

He entered the game ahead of Drew Henson. Henson did not play poorly against third-stringers, but Romo clearly is the favorite for the backup job.

Many of the Dallas media believe Romo has looked sharper than Drew Bledsoe during camp. As the team’s backup, Romo figures to be the most popular man in Dallas this season.

He looks like the favorite to be the team’s backup. Drew Henson will be the third quarterback.