Romo suffers back injury

The Cowboys quarterback has a broken bone in his back, and there is no timetable for his return.

Tony Romo is out because of yet another back injury and it’s unknown when he will return, although Dallas Coach Jason Garrett says he expects his star quarterback to play this season.

Garrett said Saturday that Romo sustained a broken bone in his back when he was hit from behind by Seattle’s Cliff Avrill and slid awkwardly on the third play of a preseason game.

Romo tried to get back into Thursday’s game and said afterward that he was OK. But Garrett said the 36year-old woke up Friday with stiffness, and an MRI exam revealed Romo’s fourth back injury in less than four years. The injury will not require surgery.

The Dallas Morning News, citing “a source,” said Romo “is expected to miss six to 10 weeks.” But Garrett wouldn’t rule out Romo for the regular-season opener Sept. 11 against the New York Giants. Rookie Dak

Prescott, a fourth-round pick who has had a strong preseason.

Ravens’ Watson tears Achilles’

Ravens tight end Benjamin Watson has torn his right Achilles’ tendon and is likely lost for the season.

The injury occurred on Baltimore’s first offensive play in a preseason game against the Detroit Lions.

Exhibitions

Joe Flacco went 11 for 16 for 94 yards in his first action since November, but the Baltimore Ravens lost tight end Benjamin Watson to a season-ending injury during a 30-9 preseason victory over the Detroit Lions.

Alex Smith looked sharp in leading three scoring drives in the first half and the Kansas City Chiefs got a 23-7 preseason victory over the Chicago Bears. Smith completed 20 of 30 passes for 181 yards before Nick Foles came in to start the third quarter.

With Carson Wentz sitting out a second straight game because of fractured ribs, Sam Bradford led the Philadelphia Eagles on three touchdown drives and to a third straight preseason victory, 33-23 over the Indianapolis Colts.

Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a touchdown pass to Eric Decker and the New York Jets’ defense stifled Eli Manning and the New York Giants’ starters in a 21-20 preseason loss.

Marcus Mariota and Derek Carr look ready for the season to start after a successful preseason dress rehearsal. Mariota led Tennessee to scores on all four drives he played and Carr threw two scoring passes for Oakland and the Titans beat the Raiders, 27-14.

Etc.

The Chiefs acquired cornerback Kenneth Acker from the San Francisco 49ers for an undisclosed draft pick.