IRVING, Texas – Tony Romo rejoined the Cowboys for their Thursday practice after an off day on Wednesday, as has been his routine for the past month.
Despite Romo's return, however, the team was still without five players, as fourth cornerback Tyler Patmon was absent from the proceedings. Patmon will join the injured trio of linebackers, Rolando McClain, Bruce Carter and Cameron Lawrence on the injury report.
Photos from Thursday's practice in Valley Ranch.
With Romo back at practice, the only offensive player to miss practice was backup tackle Jermey Parnell, who also missed Wednesday. Parnell was listed with a chest injury on the Cowboys' Wednesday injury report.
"Jermey just hurt his ribs the other day in the game," said Cowboys coach Jason Garrett. "We thought he was going to be able to practice yesterday but he wasn't able to. We anticipate him doing something today."
Garrett also said Thursday morning that he was expecting something out of McClain, though he said it didn't necessarily mean he'd practice.
"We anticipate him doing something. Hopefully more than he did yesterday," Garrett said. "I don't know that he's going to practice."
Without three linebackers, the Cowboys were once again reduced to the foursome of Justin Durant, Anthony Hitchens, Kyle Wilber and Korey Toomer. Practice squad linebacker Keith Smith has also been on hand. [embedded_ad]
McClain has a history of playing on just one day's worth of practice, and Garrett said he was hopeful Lawrence would be available to practice Friday, as well. If not, the Cowboys may once again lean on Hitchens in the middle of their linebacker corps, as Durant as excelled on the weak side this season.
"I think Hitch has really done a good job picking different things up, clearly he's getting more and more comfortable playing the different spots and it's really part of his job," Garrett said. "When he's had opportunities to step in there, he's done a nice job and I think he's getting better with the experience that he gets."
