National Football League

Romo says he's ready to play full game for Cowboys

Published Aug. 21, 2014 2:55 p.m. ET

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IRVING, Texas - Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo said he could play a full regular season game if needed.

Last week Romo saw his first game action since surgery to repair a herniated disc. He played two series - 14 plays - and said Thursday he could handle playing a full game.

"Obviously right after the surgery it would have been a different story but at this point, yes, there's no question I would be fine playing a football game," Romo said. "I don't know if you would go and play in the preseason if you didn't think you could play a game. It's football."

Romo will likely start Saturday's preseason game at Miami but the extent of his playing time has yet to be revealed.

"As far as reps during the game, I don't think there's an exact number," Romo said. "We'll talk about it and come up with a plan for how we're going to do it."

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has been guarded about how much playing time Romo will see, but said he's not being cautious because of Romo's back.

"We're trying to get Tony ready just like we're trying to get everybody on our team ready," Garrett said. "We don't really use the word 'cautious' as much as we'll try to use the reps that we think are necessary to get him ready to go play against San Francisco in Week One."

The Cowboys have been cautious with Romo's practice time during training camp. Romo never practiced more than two days in a row and was given ample days off.

Despite the down time, Romo said he feels more prepared to start the season than at this time a year ago when he was coming back from surgery to remove a cyst on his back.

"I feel like I've gotten a lot of reps, a lot of time," Romo said. "This feels like I've gotten a ton of time compared to last year. Last year, I sat out the entire off-season. That part of it, I feel like I've been a part of a lot more."

Romo said there hasn't been a moment when he feels he's passed a threshold in his recovery. However, last week's preseason game probably was that moment for a lot of people as Romo showed he could move comfortably in the pocket on several plays. He also tossed a touchdown pass to Dez Bryant.

"I don't think there's a point, I think you start feeling better and better and you test things out a little more," Romo said. "And then you just kind of go be who you are and go do what you do. Maybe there will come a time when I'm like, 'Boy, I haven't been able to do that in a while.' But that part of it just hasn't come yet."

However, Romo said there's not any one thing remaining to prove to himself he's healthy and ready to play.

"I've done all those things," Romo said. "I think more than anything you just want to execute as an offense and go out and do well."

Follow Keith Whitmire on Twitter: @Keith_Whitmire