NFL

Tony Romo knocked out for year with back injury: report

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is done for the season because of back injury, according to an ESPN report.

Dallas (8-7) hosts the Eagles (9-6) Sunday night with the winner taking the NFC East crown and the loser missing the playoffs. In Romo’s absence, the Cowboys would turn to veteran Kyle Orton at quarterback.

However, Dallas coach Jason Garrett said Monday that Romo hasn’t been ruled out. Garrett said Romo will get treatment and be evaluated daily.

After the Cowboys’ 24-23 win over the Redskins on Sunday, Romo said his back, which was already sore coming into the game, was aggravated when he was hit in the first half. At the time, he didn’t say it would cause him to miss extended time.

“That triggered it a little bit,” Romo said. “Whatever the kid did on that one play, it really sent something that didn’t feel comfortable. But it’s in a completely different spot than the back stuff I had last year, so that’s a good sign.”

Romo had back surgery in April and missed offseason workouts. He has lost Week 17 must-wins to the Giants and Redskins in the past two seasons, and another in 2008 against the Eagles.

Garrett said the Cowboys were looking to add a third quarterback behind Orton, who hasn’t started a game since 2011.