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Romo has broken finger, out up to four weeks
by FOXSports.com
The injury leaves the Cowboys (4-2) with 40-year-old Brad Johnson as the starter for Sunday's game at St. Louis. Johnson, who won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay, hasn't started a game since 2006 in Minnesota.
"Obviously, it's unfortunate for Tony to have to go through something like this. He'll recover quick, he has a great attitude about it," Johnson said. "At this time, it's really just important for the offense especially to just kind of catch on to my snap count, and the way we manage the huddle. ... I'm excited about the opportunity, worked hard to get here."
Coach Wade Phillips said Romo won't need surgery on his finger, and the timing of his return "depends on how fast that heals." The Cowboys have three games before an open date Nov. 9.
Romo wasn't in the locker room Monday when it was open to reporters, but Johnson described Romo as being in good spirits.
When linebacker Greg Ellis was told about Romo's broken finger, he got a somewhat stunned look on his face and exclaimed, "Wow!" Bradie James said the players will have to rally around each other.
"We've got to play relentless football now without our signal caller, our leader, our captain on the offensive side," James said. "That's the thing about a season; you never know what can happen. You hope you are playing some real good ball when things go down, so here we are and now we've got to make some adjustments and move on."
Receiver Terrell Owens refused comment, getting agitated when he saw cameras recording him. "Today is not Wednesday," he said, referring to the day he routinely talks to reporters.
On Sunday, Romo missed on three straight passes to start the overtime, after passing for 321 yards and three touchdowns despite heavy pressure. He was sacked three times and knocked down 19 times.
"Obviously, he had trouble throwing the ball that last series in overtime," Phillips said.
Romo, whose hand was heavily wrapped after the game, fumbled three times Sunday, losing one, but didn't throw an interception for the first time in the last nine games.
Through Sunday's games, Romo ranks second in NFC passing with a 103.5 rating. He has thrown for 14 touchdowns and been intercepted five times. He had his team-record 14th career 300-yard passing game Sunday in his 32nd start. That broke a tie with Troy Aikman, whose 13 were accomplished in 165 starts.
In 2007, his first full season as a starter, Romo led the Cowboys to a 13-3 record, best in the NFC. He set team records with 335 completions for 4,211 yards and 36 touchdowns, including the team-record 15 receiving by Owens, in a season that ended with a loss to the Giants in the playoffs.
It was two years ago this month that Romo replaced Drew Bledsoe as the starter.
Johnson quarterbacked the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the NFL championship in 2002, and is the only member of the Cowboys with a Super Bowl championship ring. He has been Romo's backup since last season and threw only 11 passes in 2007.
In his second year as Cowboys backup, Johnson has seen only brief mopup duty in Dallas, going 7-for-11 for 79 yards. Before coming to Dallas, Johnson started 122 of his 145 career games with Minnesota (1993-98, 2005-06), Washington (1999-2000) and Tampa Bay (2001-04).
Johnson has completed 2,627 of 4,248 career passes (61.8 percent) for 28,627 yards with 164 touchdowns and 117 interceptions. He passed for 2,750 yards in 2006 with nine TDs and 15 interceptions — only the third time in his career with more interceptions than TDs.
"It's going to be Brad to go in there and prove that he's not just here for the ride, he's part of this thing," Ellis said. "Every opportunity I've seen Brad step in on other teams, he's able to hold it down and get it done."
Another former Viking, Brooks Bollinger, will be Johnson's backup. The team doesn't plan to bring in any other quarterbacks, Phillips said.
The Cowboys also sustained other injuries Sunday.
Rookie running back Felix Jones strained his hamstring and was having and MRI on Monday. Punter Mat McBriar, who was carted off the field after his kick was blocked on the game's final play, also was having an MRI on his foot. The team doesn't know the extent of his injury yet, Phillips said.
Member Comments
HEY, at least Pacman did not stab anyone...member M Irvin? after he stabbed Mcyver in training camp...READ THE BOOK,'Boys will be Boys" and see how Mcyver was paid 6 figure income to keep quite and keep the playmaker out of jail!!!!<br />This is what you fans brag about? America's Team? a Dynasty? GTH all you turd fans!<br />can't handle the truth, can u?
elvatoloco10/15/2008 9:05:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
With Romo as the leader...The Dallas Cowboys name should now be the Dallas Cowards...Hows your pinky finger Tony? Why do you use the media so much "I want to play and I'm going to get a second opinion" Tony just QUIETLY get a second opinion. Have you not learned from your idol Brady who you have watched so many tapes of this past off season. Brady (no excuses) Did any one see the article on MSN with Oprah, Angelina Jolie, Amy Winehouse and Tony Fing **** Romo give advise on dating etc... Wow what happen in Dallas. I remember the days of Roger the Doger broke his fingers taped them up and played...I guess the team realized there was no one better to lead the team....I guess Roger proved it....Bledsoe played with a pin drilled into his finger...Took a team to the SB with far less talent than this years Dallas team....Wow what happen to My Dallas Cowboys.....STFU and play Romo
mmlp10/15/2008 8:41:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
elavato<br /><br />Jerry Jones has a ring, and he's going to play if B Johnson gets hurt.
Ridman10/15/2008 8:31:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Cowboy fans, REMEMBER this! Brad Johnson is the only Cowboy player with a Super Bowl ring!!! and that was 6 yrs ago!<br />do the math tontos!!
elvatoloco10/15/2008 8:28:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Brad will play a few series then Bollinger will come in and put some life into the team but no wins! The Rams are licking their chops! hell they beat the skins and the skins beat the boys...u figure it out!
elvatoloco10/15/2008 8:26:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Where are all the boy fans who were defending pacman? Do you guys feel like the biggest losers on the planet or the stooooopidest homers on the planet?<br /><br />Hint: it's a multiple choice question, all of the above is a correct answer too.
Ridman10/15/2008 8:23:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
no superbowl this year?!?!?!<br /><br />Brett Favre was a kid the last time the Cowboys even won a Wild Card game over Minnesota...<br /><br />It seems the Cowboys are always GREAT...but it's been 13 years since they had a single post season victory...<br /><br />Not exactly a dynasty<br /><br />I totally agree with you! the turd fans should just shut up already! America's Team?, TAS LOCO! u member when they won a playoff game? member? u member?
elvatoloco10/15/2008 8:08:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
hey doomsday, change your name to foolsday! YOU cannot handle the truth! Romo is a whimp under pressure, T.O. is a big crybaby, Coach Phillips is lost out there, he has that look of a confused man, Jerry J is slowly becoming the twin of Al Davis! Pic a pac fight man was the dumbest move ever for the lowly cowturds! can say "I told you so". the boys are finished! Roy Williams will bring some class to the organization but that is it....he alone cannot win it for them. Brad is a has been.....THAT MY FRIEND IS THE TRUTH - AND YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH! u da dummy!
elvatoloco10/15/2008 8:02:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Roy Williams makes Dallas alot better. T.O., Roy Williams, Jason Witten. Brad Johnson did win a SB ring with the Bucs. And wasn't playing bad when he was in Minnasota. Dallas will be fine. Every other team in that division has shown weakness also. Didn't Roy play college ball in Texas too? Brilliant move bringing this guy in.
KU1_FAN10/15/2008 7:00:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I just think it's unfair to punish Pacman for four games. As Jerry said...just an argument and no arrests were made. Romo...who cares...he has done all he can do. We need a GOOD quarterback in Dallas. He shouldn't care if he plays...after all...he has $165 M contract. Question: Did anyone notice when the extra point was kicked last Sunday to tie the game, Romo sit there with his hat on backwards looking into space...not excited at all that this kick meant a tie game. He should be fired...doesn't care any more.
Bornfree10/14/2008 19:59:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Skavoo, Williams signed a 5 year extension as part of the trade. He'll be in Big D for a while. The previous three posts here are some of the absolute DUMBEST comments I've ever read. If you guys are over 12 years old, then I feel sorry for you. Loco, do you know anything about football? I sure see you running your mouth a lot and spewing garbage. Either get a clue or shut yer yap.
Doomsday0710/14/2008 18:50:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
all u cowturd fans can keep dreaming bout Roy Williams making a difference! First of all he has to be thrown the ball, then catch it and since T.O is not getting the ball from thahomo, how can he help? Brad Johnson is going to get hurt!!! too old and scared. maybe jerry can hire some more bodyguards for Brad when he is in the pocket....NO WAIT...he already has!!! they are called REFS!!!
elvatoloco10/14/2008 17:07:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Ahh so sad Romo broke a nail.<br />Kudos to TuPacman Jones, he lasted a lot longer that I thought he would have.<br />BUNCH OF LOSERS!!!
Apache51610/14/2008 16:42:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I would looked to help the Defensive side of the ball.<br /><br />Williams is just going to take targets away from TO, so he will be crying even more.<br /><br />Dallas maybe ready to implode.
Genesis125910/14/2008 14:05:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
King68 so I guess using your logic... If we want to see Dumb axs, Thug, Welfare pieces of shix players in the NFL. We need to look in the inner city and Africa? What a dumb axs moron you are
mmlp10/14/2008 13:44:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
They gave up the farm for Williams though.<br /><br />And they only get him the rest of the season.<br /><br /><br />Seems kinda dumb.<br /><br />But then it is Jerry being Jerry.<br /><br />Unless they can re-sign him.<br /><br />Then it is genius.
skavoovied10/14/2008 13:37:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
no superbowl this year?!?!?!<br /><br />Brett Favre was a kid the last time the Cowboys even won a Wild Card game over Minnesota...<br /><br />It seems the Cowboys are always GREAT...but it's been 13 years since they had a single post season victory...<br /><br />Not exactly a dynasty
opinion8ed10/14/2008 13:35:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I'm getting sick and tired of ROGER GOODELL and his goody two shoes NFL.<br /><br />These "Moronic" but very "Talented" players such as PACMAN are paid to play football! Not be nice, help kids with their homework, feeding the homeless or saving the World!<br /><br />If you want that sqeaky clean NFL, just throw out all the trash like you're doing but make the teams have to Draft only the White Lames out of Princeton or Pitt or Boston College, sooooooooooooooooo I can just switch to watching baseball and basketball, instead of this Cra. p!
King6810/14/2008 13:35:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
And the trade did happen.<br /><br />Roy Williams is a Cowboy...<br /><br /><br />too bad he doesn't have anyone to throw the ball to him....<br /><br />anyone UNDER 40 that is.
skavoovied10/14/2008 13:32:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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