OXNARD, Calif. – Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and selected starters won’t play in Sunday’s preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, according to multiple sources.
The Cowboys have a leaky offensive line that hasn’t gained enough continuity because of injuries to the starting guards and the fact that the team has five preseason games are the reasons for not playing some starters.
Romo lobbied to play in the game, but coach Jason Garrett decided to go with the backups.
On Tuesday, Romo convinced Garrett not to give him a day off and let him practice in short yardage and red zone team drills.
Cowboys officials say the minor back surgery Romo had in the spring had no bearing on this decision.
Romo is moving around fine during training camp practices and most of his passes are tight spirals.
The Cowboys could also sit defensive end DeMarcus Ware, who is coming off shoulder surgery, running back DeMarco Murray and wide receiver Dez Bryant, who missed four days of practices with a sore hip and quad.
Bryant returned to practice Thursday.