National Football League

Romo leaves game with rib injury

Published Sep. 18, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was examined for a rib injury and backup Jon Kitna started the first series of the second half of Dallas' game with the 49ers.

Romo came out of the locker room moments after the second-half kickoff and walked onto the field briefly as Kitna returned to the sideline, then Romo came off and later returned slowly to the locker room. He kicked the ground in frustration.

Romo played through multiple hits in the first half, when he threw a late 53-yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin to bring Dallas within 14-7.

Romo came up slowly after being hit on a blindside cornerback blitz by Carlos Rogers as he was throwing in the second quarter.

Romo, who said this week he would come out and play his ''best game,'' went 8 for 17 for 144 yards and the TD.