IRVING, Texas --Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones isn't sure Jon Kitna will be his backup quarterback in 2012.
Kitna, 39, is on injured reserve with a lingering back injury and his contract expires after the season. A few weeks ago the Cowboys unsuccessfully placed a claim for Kyle Orton, who had previously worked with quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson in Chicago, but still held out hope Kitna could be back for the stretch run. Didn't work out that way.
"I don't know that he knows as it relates to whether his back will allow him to continue in his career," Jones said. "We kept that option open. He got out and threw a few balls before the New York game and it didn't feel good. That impacted our decision a little bit just how much we were dreaming that we might get him back if needed in the playoffs. That kind of discouraged us.
"It all depends. Apart from the impact of his back, he's very capable of being a player. But I think that's going to be the deciding factor in his career plans."
Without Kitna, Stephen McGee is the lone backup to Tony Romo. Veteran Chris Greisen is on the practice squad as insurance.
