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Cowboys hold off placing Romo on IR in hopes of playoff return

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

The Dallas Cowboys are clinging to their slim playoff hopes.

At 3-8, the team is holding off on placing quarterback Tony Romo on season-ending injured reserve until they're officially eliminated from playoff contention.

"We're competitors," executive vice president Stephen Jones said when asked about why Romo hadn't been placed on IR, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.

Jones indicated Romo's six-week recovery timeline from a second collarbone injury left the possibility open of a return for the NFC wild-card game.

Romo suffered a hairline fracture in the healed portion of his collarbone, which he initially injured in Week 2. Jones characterized the second injury as less severe.

"It's seven or eight fractures versus one," Jones said, referring to the initial injury. "Is that a difference? Some say no and some say yes, to be honest with you. And I'm not a doctor."

The Cowboys decision to shut Romo down could be made as soon as next week. If they lose Monday to the Washington Redskins, they would be eliminated from contention and have no reason to keep Romo on the active roster.

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