LOS ANGELES: Dallas owner Jerry Jones still hopes Tony Romo (pictured) will lead the Cowboys in a do-or-die NFL clash with Philadelphia, with the quarterback reportedly receiving an epidural injection to combat back pain.
The Cowboys host the Eagles in the final game of the regular season on Sunday with the winners claiming the NFC East division title and an NFL playoff berth.
In his weekly radio show yesterday, Jones said backup quarterback Kyle Orton -- who hasn’t started a game since 2011 -- would be ready to play if necessary, but that Romo would play if doctors agree.
“Pain won’t stop him,” Jones said. “Pain as a symptom of something that a doctor might say, ‘we don’t advise him to play,’ that’s different.”
Jones declined to give details of Romo’s injury.
ESPN.com reported that the Cowboys signal-caller has a herniated disk in his lower back and received an epidural injection to relieve pain and inflammation.
Romo’s back was clearly troubling him as he rallied the Cowboys to a one-point victory over Washington on Sunday that kept Dallas’ playoff hopes alive.
He was already limping when he threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to DeMarco Murray with 68 seconds left to lift the Cowboys to a 24-23 victory over the Redskins.
Although the Cowboys have refused to rule Romo out, coach Jason Garrett said Monday they would sign another quarterback as a third option.
The Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday that they had added 41-year-old Jon Kitna, who last played in the NFL with the Cowboys two seasons ago.
Kitna has played 15 seasons in the NFL and started nine games for Dallas in 2010.
He appeared in three games in relief in 2011 before retiring at the end of that campaign.AFP
