Tony Romo may be able to return for the final seven weeks of the season
Monday 21 September 2015 23:51, UK
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is expected to miss around eight weeks of the NFL season but he will not require surgery on his fractured collarbone.
Four-time Pro Bowler Romo was injured when he was sacked during the third quarter of Sunday's Week Two victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
If the timetable for his return is correct, the 35-year-old may be able to return for the final seven contests of the 16-game regular season.
Romo, who suffered a similar injury in Week Seven of the 2010 NFL campaign and missed the rest of the year, tweeted: "Thank you for all your prayers and support.
"No surgery needed. We're just getting started Cowboys nation, see you soon."
Dallas head coach Jason Garrett said: "Priority one has to be taking care of the rehab and getting him back as quickly as possible."
The injury is another blow to a Cowboys team who could be without All-Pro receiver Dez Bryant until December, after he broke a small bone in his foot during last week's win over the New York Giants.
Garrett said on Monday that Brandon Weeden, who replaced Romo on Sunday, will be the starting quarterback when the Atlanta Falcons visit on Sunday for a battle between two unbeaten teams.
Weeden is only 5-16 in career starts in the NFL, but he completed all seven of his passes for 73 yards after coming in to face the Eagles, including a 42-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Williams.
"Brandon's done a really nice job getting himself prepared, mentally, physically and emotionally," said Garrett.
"He has started games in the NFL. He probably reflects back on those times and thinks about some of the things he did well, and addressed some of the things he didn't do quite so well."
