ARLINGTON, TX. — In a game that got out of hand early, the Cowboys effectively signed their 2015-2016 death warrant, when quarterback Tony Romo broke his collar bone for the second time this season.
The game was long over and Romo had been performing poorly, throwing three interceptions with two of them being returned for scores in Thursday’s game against NFC’s best team Carolina Panthers, en route to a QBR of 3. A hit by a blitzing linebacker caused a hairline fracture, adding injury to insult as all in all it was a Thanksgiving to forget for Cowboys fans.
End of an Era?
The Cowboys are 0-7 without Romo this season and were already long shots to make the playoffs, even playing in the below par NFC East. After the latest setback next season may be in jeopardy as well, as this is now the third time Romo has injured the collarbone in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. It was reported he will not need surgery, but at age of 35, Romo is no spring chicken. He’s had serious back issues in addition to his collar bone injuries, and even with the rules in place that protect quarterbacks it is nearly impossible to avoid hits at the position he plays on a season-long basis. Some quarterbacks can play forever (Tom Brady, Peyton Manning until this year, and apparently Matt Hasselbeck), while others find their careers cut much shorter by injuries. There’s a sense (at least in Dallas) that “the best is yet to come” from Romo, that there will be a year that they put it all together, but in reality the current window may be shutting without a heir apparent waiting on the sidelines.
Even if Romo makes a full recovery it has become painfully apparent how much Dallas needs a legitimate quarterback, despite having a solid-to-spectacular offensive line, star-wide receiver and over-achieving defense. The Broncos’ decision to draft Brock Osweiler has paid off tremendously the past two weeks, had Dallas done the same they might be leading the NFC East.
If any Dallas fans had the stomach to pull on the wishbone from their Thanksgiving turkey, hopefully they wished for foresight in the coming years when it comes to the quarterback position. The snapping sound they heard was a cruel reminder of just how easily bones can break, and seasons go awry.
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