NFL injury report, Week 9: Tony Romo unlikely to play, A.J. Green could return

Cowboys fans had nightmarish visions of their promising season going up in smoke last Monday night as Tony Romo, who took a knee to the back from Washington linebacker Keenan Robinson, lay motionless on the field for several minutes in obvious discomfort. Initially diagnosed with a contusion, or deep bruise, of the lower back, Romo returned after receiving a painkilling injection, but his play was ineffective.

Later, reports surfaced that the Dallas quarterback may have fractured the transverse processes of two vertebrae, which has kept him out of practice the entire week. He's listed as questionable for this afternoon’s game against Arizona, and according to early reports he will not play. The transverse processes are long and thin bones that extend from either side of the main body of the vertebrae that can be fractured by violent bending or twisting, or, as in Romo's case, a direct blunt force injury. Thankfully, the grand majority do not significantly affect any surrounding structures in the back -- most notably the spinal cord -- and heal relatively quickly, with pain management being a key issue in recovery.

To be clear, pain control can be managed as it was last Monday, with medication, and it is indeed possible for athletes with similar injuries to return to action quickly without concern for causing any further damage to the vertebrae or spinal column. When he is ready to return, Romo will likely play with a supportive brace or padding and receive another shot to relieve pain.

The bigger issue for his availability Sunday, possibly continuing into the following weeks, is how the injury impacts Romo’s function – the mobility of his back and spine and his throwing motion in general. If he can’t play, backup Brandon Weeden, who led Dallas to a pair of scoring drives in his two series against Washington, would get the start.

Robert Griffin III, Washington (ankle)

Since mid-week, Jay Gruden has been emphatic in stating that, barring a pre-game setback, Griffin would get his first start since Week 2 after missing time due to a dislocated right ankle. This falls within the timeframe of the expected recovery for the injury of 6-8 weeks, although many in Washington are surprised that Colt McCoy, who played extremely well in last week’s stunner at Dallas, isn’t getting the nod today against Minnesota, especially with Washington’s bye week on deck, which would allow Griffin an additional week of rest. Griffin has proven to be an extremely quick healer and reportedly has wowed in practice this week, but fans in DC will be holding their breath when he steps on the field Sunday.

A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals (toe)

Green, who has missed the past three games with a toe injury, returned to practice this week and although listed as questionable on the Bengals’ depth chart, appears to have a reasonable chance of playing against Jacksonville. Although the team did not disclose the diagnosis, and because an MRI following the injury was negative for a fracture, the timetable for recovery makes it possible Green has been suffering from turf toe, which is technically a joint sprain that can result in significant pain and limited range of motion. Mohammed Sanu has starred the past several weeks at receiver, and if Green has a setback today would once again be Andy Dalton’s top receiving target.

Owen Daniels, Baltimore Ravens (knee)

It came as somewhat of a surprise that Daniels would even be considered for Sunday's showdown in Pittsburgh, a little over a week following surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, but the Ravens’ tight end has practiced on a limited basis this week and is listed as questionable for the game. Daniels will test the knee in pre-game warmups and is a game-time decision; if he is unable to start, rookie TE Crockett Gilmore would likely get the start tonight.