The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Romo out six to 10 weeks with broken bone in his back,
Cowboys QB has fracture in back; Prescott takes over.
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has indeed suffered another injury.
During a conference call with reporters Saturday, coach Jason Garrett said an MRI Friday revealed that the 36-year-old has a broken bone in his back. According to a source, Romo is expected to miss 6-10 weeks.
Garrett declined to put a timetable on Romo’s return.
“We don’t feel like this fracture in his back has anything to do with the other back issues he’s had in the past,” Garrett said. “It’s a separate incident. We’re confident that he’s going to come back and play football for us this year.”
On the third play of Thursday’s preseason game at Seattle, Romo took off and went into a slide as Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril came over the top. Romo landed awkwardly with the full weight of Avril pressing down on him. While on the ground, Romo immediately grabbed his back.
Romo warmed up on the sideline shortly after and pleaded with Garrett to return, but he did not. After the game, Romo said he was fine and did not need an X-ray. He said there was “normal soreness” that had “slowly dissipated.”
“We’re going to monitor his situation day-by-day and we’ll see how he feels,” Garrett said. “We heard a wide range of possibilities, in terms of when he will be able to play.”
Romo fractured his clavicle twice last season, forcing him to miss 12 games. Romo’s back caused him to miss time during the 2014 and 2013 seasons.
Dak Prescott, the Cowboys’ fourth-round draft pick this year, is expected to start in Romo’s absence. The former Mississippi State standout has had an impressive preseason, completing 39 of 50 passes for 454 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. He has also run for two touchdowns.
49ers: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick is refusing to stand for the national anthem before games because he believes the United States oppresses African-Americans and other minorities.
Kaepernick sat on the team’s bench Friday night during the anthem before the Niners played host to the Packers in an exhibition game. He later explained his reasoning to NFL Media.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick said. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.”
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Saturday that “players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem.”
Ravens: Tight end Benjamin Watson tore his right Achilles tendon in Saturday night’s preseason game against the Lions and is likely lost for the season. Watson appeared to trip while running a pattern and slumped to the turf.
Signed as a free agent in March, Watson, 35, was expected to be a key element in the Ravens’ passing game. He had 74 catches for 825 yards and six TDs last season with New Orleans.
Bears: Cornerback Tracy Porter was being evaluated for a concussion after taking a knee to the head in Saturday’s preseason game against the Chiefs. Reserve quarterback Connor Shaw broke his leg in the closing minutes and will need surgery.
Rams: Wide receiver Tavon Austin has signed a four-year contract extension. NFL. com reported the deal was worth $42 million with $30 million guaranteed.
Chiefs: Acquired cornerback Kenneth Acker from the San Francisco 49ers for an undisclosed draft pick. A sixth-round selection by the 49ers in 2014, Acker played in 15 games last season and had three interceptions.
Jake Peavy, who was scheduled to make his first start since July 30 on Saturday night against the Atlanta Braves, was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Giants with a lower back strain.
Peavy, who was placed on the DL retroactive to Aug. 21, will be replaced as the starter by Albert Suarez, who was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento.
Peavy, 35, has made eight appearances in relief in August after being removed from the rotation following the trade with Tampa Bay for Matt Moore. He is 5-9 this season with a 5.55 ERA.
Suarez, 26, has made 16 appearances for the Giants this year including six starts. He is 3-1 with a 4.20 ERA.
Orioles: With star outfielder Adam Jones nursing a tender hamstring, Baltimore called up Julio Borbon from Double-A Bowie and optioned pitcher Mike Wright to Triple-A Norfolk.
Dodgers: Ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw threw a 60-pitch bullpen session Friday. He’s been on the DL for nearly two months with a herniated disk in his back. Next, he will face hitters as he hopes to return this season.
Mets: Trying to make a push in the NL playoff race, New York plans to skip struggling right-hander Jacob deGrom’s next start. The Mets hadn’t decided who will start Monday night against Miami, another club in the wild-card hunt. Manager Terry Collins named several potential candidates, including Sean Gilmartin, Logan Verrett, Gabriel Ynoa and Rafael Montero.
Rangers: Reliever Jeremy Jeffress was away from the team for a second day Saturday as Major League Baseball looked into the pitcher’s arrest on a drunken driving charge. Thad Levine, the team’s assistant general manager, said he didn’t know the timeframe for a resolution.
Rockies: When reliever Adam Ottavino gave up an RBI single to the Nationals’ Jayson Werth in the ninth inning Friday night, it was the first run he allowed since Sept. 6, 2014, a streak of 31⅓ innings. That was the longest active streak in the majors.
Mariners: When righthander Tom Wilhelmsen was placed on the 15-day disabled list with lower back spasms, Seattle moved to add bullpen depth. Right-hander Dan Altavilla was called up from Double-A Jackson, and Pat Venditte, who throws with either hand, was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma.
Twins: Third baseman Trevor Plouffe homered for the second straight game Saturday. He hadn’t homered since July 1 before his first-inning drive Friday night.
Diamondbacks: A.J. Pollock, playing his first game in the majors this season after breaking his elbow in spring training, drove in the tying run in the bottom of the 10th in Friday night’s win over the Reds.
Nationals: Right-hander Joe Ross, who has been out since early July with shoulder inflammation, will begin a rehab assignment at TripleA Syracuse today.
Braves: Right-hander Joel De La Cruz remained winless after allowing seven runs in four innings Friday night, but he can’t shoulder all the blame for his record. The Braves have failed to score in five of his eight starts, and he is receiving just 1.3 runs of support per start.