ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 27: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys talks with the coaching staff as the Cowboys take on the Washington Redskins in overtime at Cowboys Stadium on October 27, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Tony Romo says his ability to play Sunday isn’t about pain tolerance.
It’s about whether or not he can function.
“If it turns out to be just the pain tolerance, I will play,’’ Romo said. “That part has never been an issue. But you’ve got to wait to see.
“It will be about your ability to be productive in some fashion. That part of it, we will continue to evaluate.’’
Romo was knocked out of the game in the third quarter of Monday night’s loss to Washington. The injury was initially reported as a back contusion. The quarterback took a shot and returned for the final two possessions.
Romo underwent a CT scan and spoke to doctors on Tuesday. Romo and head coach Jason Garrett have skirted questions about what was found, but no one is still calling it a contusion.
“I don’t want to get into specifics about what it is,’’ Romo said. “It will be something you’ll look at each day, figure out a way to manage it and go from there.
“It has nothing to do with back surgery or anything like that. It could have happened years ago and it would have been the same thing. It’s part of playing football.’’
What is Romo monitoring to see if he’ll be able to play against Arizona?
“At a certain point there needs to be a shift in the way you feel that shows you’re able to do the fundamental things that need to get done,’’ Romo said. “From there, you need to get the doctor’s clearance.
“You take those steps and go.’’