Romo Encouraged Back is Stronger Than Ever

By ESPN

Despite playing in only three snaps of Thursday's 27-17 preseason loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo came away encouraged that his surgically repaired back is stronger than ever.

Romo immediately reached for his lower back after getting sacked from behind by defensive end Cliff Avril, who jammed Romo's back into the turf in the first quarter.

"Whenever you take a hit, that was a perfect timed situation," Romo said. "I was going into a slide. But in a weird way, I feel good about the fact that was probably as tough of a hit I've taken on the back as I've had in the last five years. From that regard, I feel very lucky that it can hold up and I can keep going."

Romo was held out of the rest of the game by coach Jason Garrett after lobbying to return. Romo did not have any X-rays, but he spent the second half of the game in the locker room.

Thursday, August 25 Scoreboard

Miami 17, Atlanta 6

Seattle 27, Dallas 17

Friday, August 26 Schedule (All Times Central)

New England at Carolina, 6:30 p.m.

Buffalo at Washington, 6:30 p.m.

Cleveland at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.

Pittsburgh at New Orleans, 7 p.m.

Green Bay at San Francisco, 9 p.m.

Saturday, August 27 Schedule (All Times Central)

Kansas City at Chicago, noon

Detroit at Baltimore, 6 p.m.

Philadelphia at Indianapolis, 6 p.m.

New York Giants at New York Jets, 6:30 p.m.

Tennessee at Oakland, 7 p.m.

Los Angeles Rams at Denver, 8 p.m.

Sunday, August 28 Schedule (All Times Central)

San Diego at Minnesota, noon

Arizona at Houston, 3 p.m.

Cincinnati at Jacksonville, 7 p.m.