Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will miss the rest of the season as a result of a back injury suffered on Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday.
This is a major blow for the Cowboys, who host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, with the winner taking the NFC East title. The Cowboys are 8-7 and will miss the playoff if they lose to the Eagles (9-6).
Kyle Orton is expected to be the Cowboys’ starting quarterback in Romo’s absence. Orton played in just two games this season, completing 3 of 5 passes. Last season, Orton played in just one game.
Romo said on Sunday he would have an MRI on his back Monday, but he believed then that he would be able to play against the Eagles.
Romo had a sore back coming into Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins, and he took a hit in the first half that aggravated the problem.
Romo limped noticeably while handing off on running plays in the fourth quarter. Nonetheless, Romo completed 17 of 27 passes for 226 yards, including the game-winning touchdown to DeMarco Murray on fourth-and-goal from the Washington 10-yard line with 1:08 to play.