Jerry Jones: Romo still Cowboys' No. 1 QB when healthy

Rookie QB Prescott has Dallas at 4-1 record so far

DALLAS – Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones made it clear that Tony Romo will be the starting quarterback when he returns from his back injury.

"Tony is our No. 1 quarterback," Jones said Sunday after the Cowboys' 28-14 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Recommended Videos



Rookie Dak Prescott, starting in Romo's absence, has won four of the team's first five games. The fourth-round pick on Sunday found six different receivers, completing 18 of 24 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown without an interception.

Prescott extended his NFL record to start a career without a pick to 155 attempts and is seven throws away from Tom Brady's overall record. He also ran for a 5-yard score early in the second quarter.

Prescott has completed 69 percent of his passes for 1,239 yards with four touchdowns this season.

Dallas (4-1) leads the NFC East after Philadelphia (3-1) suffered its first loss of the season Sunday.

"We're going to have the luxury of being able to, I think, see them both," Jones said. "Now I don't want to take anything -- presume that Dak is going to be necessarily healthy. I don't want to presume anything like that, but I welcome the opportunity of having Dak playing at this level and Tony back in excellent health. It's going to be really special for the Cowboys."

Jones said Romo "is definitely on schedule" and will have another MRI on Monday, with the expectation being it will show the quarterback's compression fracture suffered on Aug. 25 has fully healed.

"I just know that I do expect a good report Monday," Jones said. "I know that Tony is feeling better."

Jones did not indicate a possible return date for Romo, but the Week 8 game -- following a bye week for the Cowboys -- against the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 30 has been the target date.

Jones said he is pleased with having two capable quarterbacks.

"I'll show you some hard days around here without a quarterback (that would) really want to make you pout, OK?" Jones said. "That's not a problem to have that."

Dallas coach Jason Garrett wouldn't bite after Sunday's game when asked about a looming decision on his starter.

"Tony is working very hard on his rehab, and he's making progress," Garrett said. "Dak's done a really good job taking advantage of the opportunity. I think our team has embraced Dak. He's come in and done what we've asked him to do. He executes ball plays, so he's focused on that. Tony's focused on coming back."

The Cowboys play at Green Bay on Sunday before their bye week.