IRVING, Texas -- Tony Romo underwent another CT scan Thursday to check how his punctured lung is healing in trying to determine if he will be able to play in the Cowboys' Monday night game against Washington.
"Tony certainly had his examination [Thursday] and everything is ... as we would hoped it would be and expected it to be relative to his lung status," Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones said on ESPN's "NFL 32" on Thursday. "That still doesn't necessarily mean he's going to play Monday night."
Romo suffered a fractured rib and collapsed lung in the Cowboys' 27-24 overtime win at San Francisco on Sunday.
The puncture has been described as "small" and multiple sources have indicated it could clear up in a couple of days. Coach Jason Garrett gave the team Tuesday and Wednesday off in an attempt to help with the recoveries of several injured players.
Romo did not practice on Thursday, and it's uncertain when he'll be able to practice again. The Cowboys have practices on Friday and Saturday plus a walk-through on Sunday. Romo could also try to get some work in on Monday night at Cowboys Stadium.
However, Romo did throw a few passes Thursday and was fitted for a protective vest for his rib cage.
"He threw around a few balls today but that was it, he really didn't practice," Jones said. "So we'll ease up on him here this week. He'll have the game plan and a feel for what we want to do out there and we'll see how it is when we get to game day."
It appears that if the puncture in his lung heals prior to Monday's game, Romo would start versus the Redskins.
"He did play over 2½ quarters with this thing the other day," Garrett said of Romo's lung. "I think there are probably degrees in there of healing that I think the doctors want to make sure he has before we'll put him back out there."
If Romo is unable to play Monday night, backup Jon Kitna would get the start. But Kitna is of the belief Romo will start.
"I fully expect him to play," Kitna said after Thursday's practice.
Kitna is taking the first-team snaps in practice during Romo's absence.
"I try to do things just as he would do them," Kitna said. "I don't want to change anything for what those guys are used to so far."
If Romo is able to play, he would likely need a painkilling injection.
Romo was not the only regular missing from Thursday's practice. Wide receiver Miles Austin (hamstring), running back Felix Jones (shoulder), wide receiver Dez Bryant (quadriceps), center Phil Costa (knee), cornerback Orlando Scandrick (ankle) and guard Derrick Dockery (knee) also were sitting out.
Austin could miss the next two games and return after the bye Oct. 16 at New England.
There was a bit of good news on the injury front with cornerback Terence Newman on the field.
It is Newman's first practice since the first week of August because of a groin injury. The plan is for Newman to make his 2011 debut Monday after sitting out the first two games.
The Cowboys were patient with Newman's rehab after he returned from a groin injury in 2008 and lasted only three games before requiring sports hernia surgery.
Todd Archer covers the Cowboys for ESPNDallas.com. Information from ESPNDallas.com's Calvin Watkins was used in this report.