Cowboys sign Jon Kitna as third QB, but he won't start if Tony Romo is out
The Dallas Cowboys have signed QB Jon Kitna as insurance should Tony Romo be unable to play on Sunday night vs. the Philadelphia Eagles, the team’s website reported.
Kitna, 41, who retired from the Cowboys at the end of the 2011 season, would not start if Romo’s back injury keeps him out of the lineup. Instead, Kitna would be Kyle Orton’s backup
Kitna has been living it up in retirement, working as a math teacher for his high school alma mater in Tacoma, Wash., and also serving as its football coach. Kitna is expected to make about $55,000 for his week’s worth of NFL work, the Seattle Times notes, which would be good money for a high school teacher.
The Tacoma school district is on holiday break until Jan. 2, which gives Kitna a window to play ball and not miss work.
Kick returner Micheal Spurlock was released to make room for Kitna, who beat out David Carr, John Skelton, Tyler Thigpen and Caleb Hanie for the right to earn another NFL gig, The Dallas Morning News reports.
Meanwhile, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he had lengthy discussions with Romo and his doctors Monday about getting the 33-year-old ready to play. The owner wouldn't discuss the details of Romo's injury.
"If you know Tony, you can't imagine what a competitor he is, and he doesn't want to miss a snap," Jones said. "He was very disappointed, particularly disappointed for his team, repeated over and over again, 'Jerry, I can't tell you how badly I feel relative to you and relative to my teammates.'"
Romo didn't miss a game in 2011 after breaking his ribs in Week 2 against San Francisco. He was heavily padded and medicated the next week against Washington and did enough to get the Cowboys an 18-16 win.
"Tony will play with all the pain," Jones said. "But his doctor has to clear him."
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