<
>

Tony Romo gets advice from Brad Johnson

LONDON -- Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo eased into his first practice since suffering two transverse process fractures in his back on Oct. 27, but he felt fine afterward.

He will receive more treatment after practice, and the expectation is that he will practice again on Friday. He said if his practice work continues to improve there, is a “good chance” he will play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Romo has said the back has improved incrementally over the past few days, falling in line with what former teammate Brad Johnson told him via text message.

Johnson suffered a similar injury in his career. Johnson said he began feeling better after 10 days and was “OK but not quite ready to play after 14 days.”

“When you’re ready, you’re ready," Johnson said he told Romo. "Your body will let you know, and no one else knows the pain you feel. If you’re able to play, then play. But if you cannot protect yourself by moving around, then buyer beware."

Daunte Culpepper also had a similar injury with the Minnesota Vikings, while playing for Cowboys passing game coordinator Scott Linehan. Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty missed one game this season with the injury.

“I think you find that everyone who’s had it knows it’s uncomfortable,” Romo said. “You just try and get better and you go play.”

If Romo plays, then he plans to be himself and not look to take extra precaution.

“I don’t know that you want to predetermine what you do,” Romo said. “Playing the quarterback position, one of the things you want to teach young guys is just get rid of the pre-determining aspect before the snap of what you’re going to do. I think sometimes guys who are gifted enough to run and move get themselves in trouble because they’ve decided there is going to be pressure in this game and [they're] going to do [run] on this play. And other guys are going to throw it here because the coverage looks this is what it likes pre-snap. Those things will get you in trouble. I think you want to make sure you’re playing each play out as it unfolds and go through your progressions.”

-- ESPN's Ed Werder contributed to this report.