Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo at least a week away from practicing

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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A bye week will put a possible Dallas Cowboys quarterback controversy on the back burner, but Tony Romo is nearly a return to practice.

The impressive performance of rookie quarterback Dak Prescott during a 5-1 start has brought doubt about Tony Romo getting the starting job back when he’s healthy, and now that question will simmer over the Dallas Cowboys’ Week 7 bye.

Cowboys’ head coach Jason Garrett was of course asked about Romo during his Monday press conference.

The Cowboys have one practice this week before parting for the bye week. Romo could be cleared to practice heading into a Week 8 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, as he works his way back from a compression fracture in his back, but it’s at best unclear how much time he would need before being considered game-ready.

The stance asserting Romo would start when he was able to has softened from within the Cowboys’ organization in recent weeks. Sunday morning, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport offered some clarity on when Dallas may have to fully embrace a quarterback controversy.

On #Cowboys QB situation: A decision will come only when Tony Romo is 100% ready. Means Dak may start after the bye vs. PHI as they wait

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 16, 2016

As long as Prescott is playing well, winning games and stays healthy himself, it will be easy for the Cowboys to kick the can down the road and say Romo is not 100% healthy yet. If any of those things change, a miraculous turn to Romo being totally healthy and looking great in practice will surely follow.

Prescott has said the right thing with his suggestion the Cowboys are “Tony’s team.” But the Cowboys appear to finally have an heir apparent to their aging and oft-injured quarterback, and there’s a real chance Romo will have to embrace a backup role once he is able to suit up.