Cowboys QB Romo practices; expects to play vs. Ravens

Dec 18, 2008 - 12:18 AM IRVING, Texas (Ticker) -- Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo practiced Wednesday and is expected to start this week against the Baltimore Ravens despite a lower back contusion.

Romo was roughed up by the New York Giants on Sunday, suffering the injury when he was wrenched back awkwardly on a sack. He stayed in the game but was clearly limited.

Romo finished 20-of-30 for 244 yards and two touchdowns in the 20-8 win.

"I think he's going to be fine," Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said. "As he got warmed up, he got better today. It's just soreness; there's no structural or no problems there."

Romo said he has been in severe pain and missed teammate Terrell Owens' 35th birthday party because the injury.

"I couldn't walk. It would've been very difficult for me to stay in one position for any length of time," Romo said. "I was pretty well laid up for the last couple of days."

Still, he doesn't plan on missing a huge showdown with the Ravens (9-5). The Cowboys (9-5) currently hold the first wild card spot but are being chased by several teams.

"I'm sure it will be fine by Saturday," Romo said before practice. "It's like a pain thing. It's still sore. We'll see what happens today. I think it's just part of playing football. Everyone gets banged up this time of year and you go back out there and you play."