Analysis: Starting Romo might not be worth risk for Cowboys

Less than two weeks after Tony Romo suffered two small fractures in his back, he returned to practice this week in London, leaving open the possibility the Dallas Cowboys' quarterback could be back in the lineup Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

But just because Romo's back is improving doesn't mean putting him on the field this soon is the right thing to do.

This is where the Cowboys and Romo, who was listed as probably after Friday's practice though the team didn't confirm he would start, must weigh their immediate need to stop a two-game losing streak and the long-term need to have Romo at full strength when they return from the bye week to try to win the NFC East and make the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

The best case scenario for the Cowboys would have been that backup quarterback Brandon Weeden had played better in his starting debut for Dallas last week against the Arizona Cardinals. Instead, the Cowboys offense was discombobulated, and the passing game nearly non-existent. After watching the Cowboys fail to score an offensive touchdown for the first 48 minutes of that game, how confident can Dallas coaches be that Weeden — even with a healthier offensive line — can get a win against Jacksonville?

What was apparent in that loss to Arizona was that the Cowboys defense, while certainly an improved group from 2013, despite the losses of stars like Sean Lee (to injury) and DeMarcus Ware (a salary cap casualty), isn't good enough to win games on its own. And running back DeMarco Murray, who remains in the conversation for the first-half MVP award, isn't a one-man offense.

Murray (79 rushes on 19 carries last week) needs Romo. Dez Bryant (two catches in 10 targets from Weeden last week) needs Romo. The Cowboys need Romo.

So what does that mean this week against the Jaguars?

Jacksonville has plenty of issues that have contributed to its 1-9 start heading into Sunday's game at Wembley Stadium, but getting after opposing quarterbacks is not one of them. Jacksonville has 27 sacks, tied for third-most in the NFL. The Jaguars are giving up boatloads of points (27.9 per game) and yards (386.9), but quarterbacks are getting hit while doing it.

The Cowboys have said since Romo was injured on Oct. 27 against Washington that he is not at risk to worsen the injury, that the only thing keeping him off the field is how much pain he is in, how much the sore back is limiting his ability to move, and how much practice and preparation time he is missing while getting medical treatment.

Given Romo's history of playing through injuries, like in 2011 when he played with a broken rib and punctured lung, it's hard to imagine him telling team doctors and coaches that he can't go this week.

The Cowboys certainly are desperate to stave off a three-game losing streak heading into the bye week, the type of thing to derail what has been Dallas' most promising season in years. A win, meanwhile, would at least allow Dallas to keep pace with the Eagles (6-2) in the NFC East.

Can the Cowboys risk a setback to Romo's back this week in London, followed by another nine-hour flight back to Texas?

It appears to be a gamble the Cowboys are willing to take.

Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones.