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Tony Romo Will Either Start Or Be Inactive In Week 9

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Tony Romo will either start or be inactive for the Dallas Cowboys‘ against the Arizona Cardinals on the NFL week 9 slate of games. 

The Dallas Cowboys are getting set for one of the biggest games in the NFC so far this season as they prepare to face the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals in week 9.

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One significant problem looms in Dallas, however. They might to roll in that game with Brandon Weeden at quarterback.

Tony Romo is dealing with a back injury, one that cost him a chunk of Dallas’s week 9 game and arguably cost them the game in an ugly loss to the Washington Redskins. He re-entered that game but clearly was not himself, and the quarterback’s status remains in doubt for week 9.

On that front, ESPN’s Ed Werder reports that there will be no middle-ground with Romo. If he can play, he will be the starter. If he cannot play, he will not be active for the game.

The Cowboys have said that it might be a gametime decision for Sunday’s game. What they will be weighing is whether or not Romo can be the starter or not, and that’s it. They are not interested in having Romo available off the bench.

For all of the flack Romo has received over the course of his career, his value seems to be more appreciated on this year’s first-place Cowboys team. In eight games, Romo has posted a 103.6 QB rating, throwing for 1,996 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. In short, he has been outstanding.

In the long run, the Cowboys are not going to reach their always-lofty goals without Romo at quarterback. They will have to weigh those big-picture concerns with the short-term goal of beating a fellow NFC heavyweight in week 9 as they assess Romo’s health.

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