Tony Romo Injury: Cowboys Quarterback Likely Out For Remainder Of Season

Tony Romo suffered an injury that is likely to keep him out for the remainder of the NFL season, leaving the Dallas Cowboys to turn to high-priced backup Kyle Orton in a bid to reach the playoffs.

Romo suffered a herniated disc, and while his official status is uncertain sources close to the team say the quarterback will require surgery that will put an end to his season. The injury was announced just six days before what amounts to an NFC East championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, with the winner going on to the playoffs and the loser going home.

Though sources indicate that Romo is out, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett wouldn’t give a definite answer.

“Again, we’ll just evaluate what happened in the game,” Garrett said. “Obviously, he was able to play through it and play very well at the end of that ball game. We evaluated it last night after the game and again this morning. He’s getting treatment and the MRI was part of the evaluation. There’s going to be a series of different things we do for his treatment over the next few days and see how he responds to it.”

After the Tony Romo injury the Cowboys will likely look to Orton to start against the Eagles. The team signed Orton to a three-year, $10.5 million contract to be their backup in March 2012 after he had been benched for Tim Tebow that season. The 31-year-old Orton has been a starter with the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, and Kansas City Chiefs, amassing a 35-34 record as a starter.

“He hasn’t played in a while,” an executive in personnel for another NFL team told USA Today Sports. “However (he has) starting history, been there for two seasons, so should have good command of offense with same coaches in same offense. He’s a veteran, number two, pocket-passing QB.”

Before the injury, Tony Romo led the Dallas Cowboys to a comeback win over the Washington Redskins to keep their playoff hopes alive. If the Cowboys were to take the final step and advance it now appears it will be with Romo on the sidelines.