Tony Romo out for rest of season
Updated: December 23, 2013, 6:31 PM ET
Cowboys Lose Romo
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will miss the rest of the season because of a back injury, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Monday.
Romo has a herniated disk in the lumbar region and needs to have surgery, a source told ESPN Senior NFL Insider Chris Mortensen.
At his weekly news conference, coach Jason Garrett wouldn't rule Romo out, instead saying he would receive treatment each day this week and the team would evaluate the quarterback's injury each day.
"We just have to take it day by day," Garrett said.
The Cowboys (8-7) host the Philadelphia Eagles (9-6) on Sunday night, with the winner capturing the NFC East title. Kyle Orton likely will get the start at quarterback for Dallas.
Orton has 69 career starts and is 35-34. He hasn't started since the 2011 regular-season finale with Kansas City.
Garrett said the Cowboys likely will sign another quarterback this week, as Orton is the only backup on the roster.
"We have Kyle Orton here for a reason," Garrett said, adding that Orton prepares as though he's the starting quarterback each week.
Romo said Sunday he would undergo an MRI on his back Monday but didn't believe the injury would jeopardize his availability for the Philadelphia game.
Romo said his back, which was sore going into Sunday's comeback victory over the Washington Redskins, began to bother him after a hit in the first half.
"That triggered it a little bit," Romo said Sunday. "Whatever the kid did on that one play, it really sent something that didn't feel comfortable. But it's in a completely different spot than the back stuff I had last year, so that's a good sign."
Romo had surgery in April to remove a cyst from his back and did not take a snap until the team reached training camp in July.
Romo was limping as he carried out fakes on running plays against Washington. He also appeared to kick the back of his leg after spinning free from the pocket on a third-down pass to Miles Austin.
Romo completed 17 of 27 passes for 226 yards, including the winning touchdown to DeMarco Murray on fourth-and-goal from the Washington 10 with 1:08 to play.
Longtime teammate Jason Witten admired Romo's toughness after news of the extent of the quarterback's injury had been learned.
"A lot of times you lose sight of [Romo's toughness], what Tony is all about, the kind of toughness that he shows day in and day out, not only mentally but physically, you just commend him how he approaches it, just resilient to find a way and he's so good in those situations and kind of put the team on his back."
Romo has dealt with numerous injuries over the years, including a broken rib in 2011. He hurt his ribs again in last season's season-ending loss to the Redskins, a result that kept the Cowboys from making the playoffs.