Tony Romo won’t need surgery, expected to miss 8 weeks

The Sports Xchange

10 years ago

Sep 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) is helped off the field after being sacked against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. (Eric Hartline/USA Today Sports)

Sep 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) lands on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Romo was injured on the play and left the game. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles, 20-10. (Eric Hartline/USA Today Sports)

Sep 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett consoles Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) as he comes off the field with an injury during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Romo would leave the game. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles, 20-10. (Eric Hartline/USA Today Sports)

Sep 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) on the field after game against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Romo left the game with an injury. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles, 20-10. (Eric Hartline/USA Today Sports)

Sep 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. (Eric Hartline/USA Today Sports)

Quarterback Tony Romo could be a candidate for injured reserve-designated to return to the 53-man roster in eight weeks after opting against surgery on his fractured left collarbone.

Surgery to insert a plate and promote rapid healing is common for clavicle injuries. Romo could return to practice within six or seven weeks and to game action in eight weeks based on additional tests conducted Monday, according to multiple reports.

Romo missed 10 games in 2010 with the same injury.

Romo said he felt the bone pop when he was sacked by linebacker Jordan Hicks in the third quarter and lost the ball, a fumble the Eagles recovered. The Cowboys held on for the win and at 2-0, will navigate the next two months with Brandon Weeden at quarterback.

The Cowboys could use the IR-recall option for Romo because already injured star wide receiver Dez Bryant counts against the 53-man roster limit. If the Cowboys don’t assign Romo to the temporary IR, they would be working with just a 51-man roster for the next 6-8 weeks.

Bryant left the Cowboys’ Week 1 victory with a fractured right foot and has surgery two days later.