OXNARD, Calif. -- Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones expects Tony Romo to play on Sunday in San Francisco. When and for how long the Pro Bowl quarterback would play is a matter that's a little harder to determine.
"Under certain circumstances. He will, and I want to see him play -- under certain circumstances," was Jones' response when asked whether Romo would take the field this weekend.
That's likely going to depend on how much Romo's fellow starters intend to play -- a fact that Jones acknowledged. The Cowboys are facing injury problems on several fronts, and as many as eight of Romo's fellow offensive starters could be sidelined this weekend.
"A lot of that has to do with who we've got up there, by the time we get there, that are playing in front of him, and who is in his supporting cast -- what we think we can do out of the backfield, what we think we can do with the running game. In other words, the whole picture," Jones said.
Perhaps most importantly, the Dallas offensive line looks to be depleted heading into the weekend. Tyron Smith has been limited while he nurses a biceps injury -- the same goes for Doug Free's injured foot. On the interior of the line, Ron Leary has been evaluated for a sore back, while Zack Martin is resting after suffering a stinger in practice on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, Dez Bryant is expected to sit while he rests a hamstring injury. Cole Beasley has practiced the past two days after resting a sore Achilles, but his status is uncertain entering the game.
All of that said, Jones didn't sound deterred that Romo should be able to get some playing time -- it just depends how much.
"If it's like I think it can be, then I'd be happy to see him get out there and get some plays," Jones said. "I'm not concerned about him getting some snaps, it's more how much."
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