Tony Romo has broken bone in back; Week 1 status uncertain

FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romohas suffered a broken bone in his back, but coach Jason Garrett would not rule out the quarterback for the regular-season opener against the New York Giants on Sept. 11.

Garrett announced Romo's injury on a conference call Saturday, two days after he was knocked out of a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks after three plays in the first quarter.

Garrett said the injury would not cost Romo the season but could not give a timetable on a possible return. Romo had an MRI on Friday, and the results were learned later that night.

If Romo cannot play, rookie fourth-round pick Dak Prescott will start against the Giants.

Garrett said the injury is not related to the surgeries Romo had in 2013. The coach would not say if it is the transverse process fractures Romo suffered in 2014 that forced him to miss a game.

Romo was hit from behind by Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril while scrambling up field Thursday. Romo immediately reached for his lower back but was able to walk off the field under his own power. He lobbied to return to the game, but Garrett went with Prescott.

This could be the fourth straight year that Romo misses at least one game. He missed the 2013 season finale after undergoing a discectomy. He missed one game in 2014 with two transverse process fractures in his back and was out 12 games last year with a twice-broken left collarbone.