Troy Aikman questions Tony Romo’s Durability

One legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback is questioning Tony Romo‘s durability as he approaches the age of 36.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is turning 36-years old in April. The 12-year NFL veteran has suffered from three fractured collarbone injuries and had two back procedures in the last five years. Two of those shoulder injuries took place last season, limiting Romo to four game appearances and helped led the Cowboys to a disappointing 4-12 season ending record.

Although team officials expect Romo to play another three to four more years, one Cowboys legend is questioning his durability. Three-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman expressed real concern about Romo and his future ability to stay healthy. As evidence for his concern, Aikman pointed out the fact that despite having likely the best protection in the NFL, the veteran gunslinger still got hurt twice last season.

"“I think the real concern (with Romo) is this has been an outstanding offensive line the last two years in protecting him,” Aikman told NFL Network’s NFL HQ on Wednesday. “He has not taken a lot of hits and this year he broke it twice and he wasn’t hit very much, so he has missed some time. As a guy who continues to get older, I certainly know as a quarterback that it’s harder to come back. It’s harder to play week in and week out as you get older. So what they do this year, the backup position, I think is going to be really, really important.”"

Aikman knows a thing or two about durability. He was the Cowboys quarterback for twelve consecutive seasons, from 1989 to 2000. Aikman retired at the age of 34 after suffering several concussions during his final season in the NFL. But just a couple years ago, the now 49-year old revealed it was actually persistent back issues that ultimately led him to hang up his cleats for good…just in case.

As for Romo, the veteran quarterback and the Cowboys are still deciding whether to have an elective surgery to have a plate inserted along his collarbone to help reinforce the area that was fractured twice last season. As far as his back is concerned, Romo has been conditioning the areas around his past injuries for nearly two years now. From what’s been reported, his previous back issues no longer seem to be an issue.

Regardless, the Cowboys will continue take special care of their veteran quarterback, resting him this offseason, and making sure he’s healthy when the regular season jumps off later this year. Whether Romo is less durable than he has been in the past will only be determined when he starts taking real hits in September. Until then, Dallas would be wise to invest in a quality back-up or two.

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