Cowboys QB Romo is returning with high hopes intact
IRVING — Tony Romo is eager to help the Dallas Cowboys end their seven-game losing streak Sunday at Miami.
He just needs the final OK to be on the field.
Romo is expected to start against the Miami Dolphins, though coach Jason Garrett is taking things day by day as his 35-year-old quarterback heals from a broken left collarbone.
Without Romo, the defending NFC East champions (2-7) went 0-3 with Brandon Weeden starting and then lost four more with Matt Cassel under center. Weeden was cut Tuesday.
“I don’t think that anyone in this locker room thinks by any means that this season is over,” Romo said Wednesday. “You lose enough games, sometimes it can creep in where it feels that way, and I don’t think our team has not ever given 100 percent commitment. That’s exciting to see. That’s how you can turn it around.”
Dallas is only 21/2 games out of first place in the division. Asked if he thinks more about the team’s 2-7 record or being that close to the NFC East lead, Romo said, “I don’t think about anything other than beating the Dolphins this week and doing what I need to do today to give us the best chance.”
During the seven-game skid, Dallas has failed to score a touchdown in three games. The Cowboys are tied for 30th in the league in points scored after ranking fifth last season.
When Romo last season earned his fourth Pro Bowl berth and led the Cowboys to their first division title in five seasons, he averaged 247 passing yards per game with 34 touchdown passes.
“We certainly don’t want him to feel like he has to come in and save the day,” Garrett said. “He just needs to play quarterback for our football team. He’s done that well for us in the past. We anticipate him doing that on Sunday.”
Chargers’ Floyd plans to return
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd wants to return this season despite having a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
Floyd was injured making a diving attempt at a pass from Philip Rivers in a loss to the Chicago Bears on Nov. 9.
The Chargers haven’t said how severe Floyd’s injury is and Floyd didn’t shed any light on it, either, other than saying he’s doing what the trainers are telling him to do.
But Floyd said that despite the frustration of getting hurt, he’s going to stick to his plan to retire at season’s end. He said he made that decision when he signed his current three-year contract, which expires after the season.
Flutie’s parents die on same day
Former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie says both of his parents died within an hour of each other.
Flutie said Wednesday on his Facebook page that father Dick died of a heart attack in a Florida hospital and that mother Joan also suffered a heart attack and died less than an hour later.
Flutie did not elaborate on the circumstances of their deaths, but called them “incredible parents and grandparents” who had been married for 56 years and were always there for their children.
The 1984 Heisman Trophy winner at Boston College, Flutie played 13 seasons in the NFL with Chicago, New England, Buffalo and San Diego.