Jason Garrett unwilling to rule injured Tony Romo out of Cowboys' opener

The Dallas Cowboys open their season two weeks from today. Coach Jason Garrett, so far, is unwilling to concede that injured quarterback Tony Romo won't be on the field for that Week 1 home game against the New York Giants.

"We've gotten a lot of different timetables for when he can return," Garrett said Sunday, a day after he announced an MRI had revealed a broken bone in Romo's back. "We also know that he's played with a broken bone in his back before, so there's no reason for me to stand up here and put a timetable on this.

"I think a lot of other people outside of this building have suggested they know what the timetable is. That's not the world we live in. We live in the world day by day, do what you can to get yourself better and we'll update you as we go."

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Multiple reports have speculated that Romo, who was injured in Thursday's preseason game at Seattle, will not return before midseason. Dallas' bye falls in Week 7.

Romo is wearing a back brace as part of his recovery. He's undergone multiple back surgeries during his 14-year career. He also missed 12 games last season (the Cowboys went 1-11 without him) after breaking his clavicle twice. Romo last started 16 games in 2012.

"Adversity is a part of the game," said Garrett. "Injuries are a part of the game.

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"You come to work the next day and you put the next guy in there and if everyone will focus on doing their job, that's the best way to create a good environment for someone who's coming in to play. Everybody focus on doing their job, and I think our team understands that."

Rookie Dak Prescott is expected to start in Romo's place, but a veteran backup could be acquired soon as teams begin paring their rosters league-wide.

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