IRVING, Texas -- Cowboys quarterback
Tony Romo, who wants to play despite a broken pinkie on his throwing hand, practiced and threw passes to receivers Thursday.
Romo threw lightly to all receivers during the early portion of practice that was open to reporters, though 40-year-old backup
Brad Johnson was working with the starters during drills. Neither quarterback took direct snaps from centers during that time.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and coach Wade Phillips talked to each other while Romo threw on the opposite side of the field.
Jones didn't talk to reporters at practice, but earlier Thursday at a news conference at the team's new stadium, was asked if Romo would play and responded, "It looks promising."
Romo informed Dallas' coaches on Wednesday that he is ready to play Sunday against the
St. Louis Rams, despite breaking the pinkie on his throwing hand last weekend, a high-ranking Cowboys source told ESPN.com's Matt Mosley.
Jones would love to see it happen.
Making an appearance on 1310 The Ticket's Dunham and Miller show, Jones confirmed there is a strong possibility Romo could play Sunday despite a broken pinkie.
"He very well could play," Jones said on 1310 The Ticket, adding the decision would probably be left up to Phillips and Romo.
Romo was hurt on the first play of overtime in Sunday's 30-24 loss at Arizona. After the broken finger was diagnosed, Phillips said Romo was out and that Johnson, whose last start was in 2006 for Minnesota, would take over Sunday at St. Louis. It was thought then that Romo could be out up to a month.
But Romo, after getting a phone call from
New York Jets quarterback
Brett Favre, told coaches Wednesday he would like to play. Romo didn't practice then, but threw on the side, including some passes to Jones and tight end
Jason Witten.
"Yeah, he threw me several balls, knocking them in there very good," Jones said.
Romo hasn't spoken in the locker room this week, and escaped quickly without answering questions the one time he was seen while reporters were present.
"He's been upbeat, he's been in meetings talking just like he was playing," Witten said before practice Thursday. "That's very encouraging because I'm sure he was devastated because he's never been hurt before. To see him out there throwing and trying to talk Wade into letting him play, that's encouraging for all of us."
The injury occurred when Romo was sacked and fumbled to start overtime against the Cardinals. But Romo stayed in the game and badly missed on his next two pass attempts before the punt was blocked and recovered for the winning touchdown.
Romo grew up in Wisconsin, where Favre starred for the
Green Bay Packers. Favre has started 258 consecutive games. Romo, already a two-time Pro Bowler, has been the Dallas starter 32 consecutive games since replacing ineffective
Drew Bledsoe seven games into the 2006 season.
Witten, one of Romo's best friends, scoffed at the idea the quarterback is trying to come back to play as a way to emulate Favre.
"He's been through it a little bit now. ... I don't think he looks at it that way," Witten said. "He's mature enough and understands the challenges. He'll try to go if he can. If he can't, I think he's prepared to come back as quick as possible."
