All the negative tests on quarterback Tony Romo’s bruised throwing hand are positives for the Dallas Cowboys.
Coach Jason Garrett said Monday that the swelling is going down and that a number of different tests have confirmed the original diagnosis of nothing being broken in Romo’s right hand. The Cowboys are hopeful that Romo can practice Wednesday after today’s mandatory day off.
“It looks like it is getting better,” Garrett said. “We hope in the next couple of days, with treatment, he’ll be able to take a snap and hold a football and throw it the way he needs to.”
When asked whether Romo could grip a football, the coach responded, “He has a relatively firm handshake.”
All indications are that Romo will be ready for Sunday night’s game at the New York Giants that will determine who wins the NFC East and goes to the playoffs.
“I believe in Tony,” safety Abram Elam said. “I know it’s going to take a lot to keep him from playing in this game.”
The Cowboys will be without starting left guard Montrae Holland, who was put on the season-ending injured reserve list with a partially torn left biceps. Veteran guard Derrick Dockery is likely to start in Holland’s spot.
PETERSON EXPECTED TO BE OK FOR 2012
The Minnesota Vikings expect star running back Adrian Peterson to be recovered from left knee surgery for two torn ligaments in time to start the 2012 season.
Peterson tore his ACL and MCL when he was hit in the side of the knee by Washington Redskins safety DeJon Gomes during the third quarter of the Vikings’ 33-26 win Saturday at Washington.
An MRI on Saturday evening revealed the ligament tears and meniscus damage. Peterson will undergo surgery within the next seven to 10 days, according to Vikings head trainer Eric Sugarman.
Sugarman outlined an eight-to-nine-month recovery for Peterson, who was signed to a seven-year, $100 million contract extension before the first week of this season.
“Adrian has a great work ethic,” Sugarman said. “Adrian has the DNA to heal quickly, which he has shown in the past. He certainly will have the desire and the mental toughness to be able to get through the rehab process, which will take months and months, as you know. So, I think if anyone can get better quickly and safely in that time period, it would be Adrian Peterson.”
EXTRA POINTS
Browns quarterback Colt McCoy has not yet been cleared to practice, but coach Pat Shurmur wouldn’t rule out the possibility of McCoy making a comeback in time to play Sunday against the Steelers. McCoy started the first 13 games of the season but hasn’t practiced or played since he suffered a concussion as a result of the helmet-to-facemask blow he took from Steelers linebacker James Harrison on Dec. 8. … Panthers wide receiver Legedu Naanee broke a small bone in his right foot during Saturday’s 48-16 win over the Buccaneers and is done for the season. Naanee started 10 games this season for the Panthers, with 44 receptions for 467 yards and one touchdown. … The Jaguars placed defensive end Matt Roth (concussion) and cornerback Ashton Youboty (hamstring) on the injured reserve list. … Justin King (shoulder) became the fourth Rams cornerback to be sidelined with a season-ending injury, joining Ron Bartell, Brandon Fletcher and Al Harris on IR. … The Bengals made a buy-one, get-one-free offer to season-ticket holders for the final regular season game Sunday. Cincinnati would clinch an AFC wild-card berth by beating the Ravens.
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