Tony Romo hopes to miss Pro Bowl
Tony Romo made the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2009. He hopes he doesn’t play in his fourth all-star game, though.
“More than anything, you’re just so focused on trying to win a championship right now,” Romo said Wednesday. “It’s obviously an honor anytime your peers and coaches and fans vote for you on something like that. It’s always a very humbling feeling.
“At the same time, I think we all know what our goals are, and hopefully none of us are playing in that football game and we’re all playing in Arizona for the championship. I think that’s what our minds are focused on right now. It’s just getting ready for the second part of the season.”
Six Cowboys — all on offense — received Pro Bowl honors Tuesday night. Center Travis Frederick, left tackle Tyron Smith, right guard Zack Martin, running back DeMarco Murray and receiver Dez Bryant joined Romo with Pro Bowl nods.
The all-star game, though, is played the week before the Super Bowl.
“I’m hoping we’ll still be playing and be out in Arizona for another reason,” said Martin, one of only three rookies in the league to receive Pro Bowl honors.
Romo was one of six quarterbacks selected, joining Tom Brady, Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger. It’s been a long road back for Romo after he had surgery last Dec. 27 to repair a herniated disk.
“I think I feel better this time of year than I did last year at this time, so that’s a positive,” Romo said. “So Merry Christmas.”
Romo leads the league in completion percentage (70.3), yards per attempt (8.49) and passer rating (114.4), becoming a league MVP candidate in the process.
“I was a little frustrated early in the year, because I wasn’t able to move or feel like the way I did,” Romo said. “But once I did, it was just great to see the stuff that I thought was holding up. And it’s just continued to evolve from there.
“A lot of that comes through experience and playing. It’s a lot of jargon and detail that I won’t get into with you, but I feel like sometimes it’s a competitive thing where I want to keep that. But it’s really helpful.”
Injury updates
Right guard Zack Martin returned to practice Wednesday, and is expected to be ready to go against Washington. Martin has played through a sprained right ankle the past two weeks.
“I definitely don’t want to go through not practicing again,” Martin said. “You’d be surprised on how many little things you can lose just by not practicing a couple times. So I’m happy to be back on the practice field today.”
Right tackle Doug Free (left ankle) did not practice and is expected to miss his second straight game.
Linebacker Rolando McClain wasn’t at practice, as he was in Alabama to take care of personal matters after his home burned down earlier this week. The Cowboys are hopeful he returns Thursday and are expecting him to play Sunday.
“It’s all hands on deck,” defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. “We’re going to play. That’s what the head coach says, and that’s what we all believe.”
Romo, who hasn’t practiced on a Wednesday since Week 3, and linebacker Dekoda Watson (hamstring) were the other players sitting out. Defensive tackle Josh Brent (calf) was limited.
Running back DeMarco Murray (hand) was a full participant for the first time since breaking his left hand against the Eagles.
Hitchens making mark
Rookie linebacker Anthony Hitchens has had his moments throughout the season. He had 13 tackles in Week 3 at St. Louis and 12 tackles against Philadelphia on Thanksgiving.
But he admitted his best game might have been Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Hitchens had a team-high eight tackles and, more important, came through with his first career interception in the third quarter.
Andrew Luck’s pass was deflected by Cowboys defensive tackle Nick Hayden and fell into Hitchens’ hands.
“I was excited,” Hitchens said after the game. “I fell down. I had a chance to run it in, but I’m just thankful to be in that position.”
Hitchens, a fourth-round pick out of Iowa, has been one of the most promising players on defense. He has started 10 games and has played well in filling the void when Justin Durant was lost for the season with a biceps tear.
“The more reps you get, the easier it becomes, just coming out here and wanting to get better,” said Hitchens, who has 74 tackles this season.
Hitchens’ play has been noticed throughout the organization.
Owner Jerry Jones referenced “No. 59” on his weekly radio show Tuesday, and coach Jason Garrett singled out Hitchens when going through a list of young players making an impression.
“Hitch gets better every single day,” Garrett said.
Charean Williams, 817-390-7760
This story was originally published December 24, 2014 at 5:34 PM with the headline "Tony Romo hopes to miss Pro Bowl."