Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo could return Oct. 30

Tony Romo left a preseason game at Seattle with a compression fracture in his back in August, and the Dallas Cowboys think he could return to the starting lineup on Oct. 30.

Romo would be nine weeks removed from the injury. He began doing advanced rehab work last week and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been vocal in his belief that Romo is the quarterback that gives Dallas the best chance to reach the playoffs.

Rather than place Romo on injured reserve, the Cowboys kept him on the 53-man roster. Jones said no player trumped Romo's potential value to the team.

In Romo's stead, the Cowboys started the season 2-1 with rookie Dak Prescott passing for 767 yards, one touchdown and no interception. He also had two rushing touchdowns.

The Oct. 30 game against the Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) is after the Cowboys' bye week. Dallas plays at Cleveland (Nov. 6) and Pittsburgh (Nov. 13) the following two weeks.