Cowboys’ Bryant believes Romo has to answer the ‘retirement’ question

With the injuries constantly piling up on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, the obvious question has popped up concerning his future.

Retirement.

Wide receiver Dez Bryant was asked after Sunday’s practice if he’s worried about Romo being able to literally walk away from the NFL — whenever he decides to retire — with his health reasonably intact.

“That’s something that I think he will have to answer,” Bryant said. “It’ll be hard for me to answer something like that.

“If that question was asked amongst myself — because I know how much I love the game.”

Romo will reportedly miss six to 10 weeks after he suffered a compressed fracture in the L1 vertebra during Thursday’s preseason game against Seattle. The injury continued a maddening injury trend that has sacked the Cowboys’ quarterback in recent years.

Last year Romo missed 12 games after he broke his left clavicle on two occasions. In 2014 he missed a game after fracturing two bones in his back.

In addition, in the spring of 2013 Romo underwent back surgery to remove a cyst. He also missed the final game of the 2013 season after he had surgery for a herniated disk.

Although the injuries are rapidly stacking up, Bryant doesn’t think Romo is even considering retirement.

“That’ll be Tony’s decision, but I know he’s strong,’’ Bryant said. “That dude is a warrior, for real.”

Romo is 36 years old and is approaching his 14th season. The four-time Pro Bowler holds numerous Cowboys individual records, but has been a lightning rod in recent years because of his inability to stay healthy.

Bryant, though, believes Romo will recover from his latest back injury and eventually return to his customary position.

“I don’t doubt that he’s going to come back and be stronger,” Bryant said. “[Injuries] only makes him mentally tougher.

“I just think Tony will be good. Tony will be OK when he gets back.”

This story was originally published August 28, 2016 at 7:28 PM with the headline "Cowboys’ Bryant believes Romo has to answer the ‘retirement’ question."