Romo breaks bone in back, reportedly out 6-10 weeks

An MRI revealed that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has suffered a broken bone in his back, and there is no timetable for his return, head coach Jason Garrett announced Saturday.

However, a source told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that the injury will sideline Romo for 6-10 weeks.

Garrett even refused to rule out Romo for the Sept. 11 season opener against the New York Giants, though that is likely due to NFL rules allowing the Cowboys to delay injury designations until Sept. 9. Garrett added that none of the scenarios include Romo missing the entire season.

"We're confident that he's going to be coming back and playing football for us this year," Garrett said.

Romo presumably suffered the injury on the awkward hit from defensive end Cliff Avril during Thursday's preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks.

If Romo returns on the optimistic end of the reported timeline, he could play Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Related: Fantasy fallout surrounding Romo's injury

But Peter King of MMQB.com reports the plan is for Romo to return after the Cowboys' bye in Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The back fracture won't require surgery, a source told ESPN's Ed Werder, though Romo will need an epidural to play as the injury could linger upon his return, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Romo's absence will almost certainly elevate preseason star Dak Prescott into the starting lineup. The 2016 fourth-round pick has put together three stellar performances, and will be tasked with keeping the Cowboys afloat until Romo returns.