Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has been declared “100 percent” by owner/general manager Jerry Jones, but his status for the team’s preseason opener against the San Diego Chargers is currently up in the air.
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While Romo does anticipate playing sometime in the preseason after rehabbing his back, his 2014 debut may not come on Aug. 7.
“You’re constantly evaluating it and you’re constantly, I don’t want to say adjusting because you stick to the plan, but it’s a progression,” Romo said, via Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas. “It’s leading up to San Francisco [regular season opener]. I am going to play in the preseason, obviously. I think it’s important. The first game, we’ll talk about it as we move into the weekend.
“It’s just a little unknown so you’d rather play it safe than be silly and just go out and do everything over and over again and all of a sudden have to sit out for a week or so. I think more than anything we’re playing the long game and I think that’s smart.”
Taking a cautious approach during the preseason is a smart strategy for Romo and the Cowboys, especially with so many questions about the team’s defense entering the season.
The 34-year-old quarterback has had his fair share of back problems in recent years, so the Cowboys need to make sure he is actually 100 percent before placing him back on the field. With Brandon Weeden as the back up, losing Romo for a lengthy period of time is not something the team wants to risk.