COWBOYS
No Romo timeline
ARLINGTON, Texas -- There is still no timeline on when Tony Romo may be able to return to game action for the Dallas Cowboys.
But executive vice president Stephen Jones said "everything is looking great" so far in Romo's recovery from a compression fracture in his lower back sustained in the third preseason game at Seattle on Aug. 25.
"He's feeling good and certainly feels good about the progress he's making," Jones said Friday at an event to kick off the new Stadium Club restaurant at AT&T Stadium.
Romo, 36, threw passes during pregame warmups at Washington last Sunday, but Jones refused to give a timeline on when Romo may be able to do more.
Thursday marked the four-week point since Romo's injury, and the original timeline had been set at six to 10 weeks. The Cowboys kept Romo off the short-term injured reserve, which would have kept him out until the Nov. 6 game at Cleveland.
The Cowboys have a bye week on Oct. 23 and then play Philadelphia on Oct. 30. That Oct. 30 game would seem like the earliest Romo would return.
"There's a good chance you'll probably see him practice and he may not play in a game in terms of contact," Jones said. "Now, we've got to manage through that as we get closer to that time."
Romo missed 12 games last season, fracturing his left collarbone twice during the season. The Cowboys combined to go 1-11 with three backups.
"I think every injury is different, so everybody wants to say, 'Well, you rushed him back last time and he got hurt,' " Jones said. "I think unfortunately it was a tough lick there that happened to hit him just right again. At the same time we're not going to (let Romo play) unless he's ready and the doctors feel he's ready, then we won't push it."
FALCONS
Jones may play
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Julio Jones joined practice Saturday for the first time in a week, increasing his chances to play in the Falcons' game at New Orleans on Monday night.
After being held out on Thursday and Friday with a calf injury from last week's victory at Oakland, Jones was limited in Saturday's practice. Coach Dan Quinn said the All-Pro receiver no longer is bothered by the ankle injury that slowed him before the calf injury.
Rookie strong safety Keanu Neal is expected to make his debut against the Saints. Neal, the first-round pick from Florida, had preseason arthroscopic knee surgery and missed the first two games.
Defensive end Brooks Reed (shoulder) was limited and receiver Mohamed Sanu (ankle) had full clearance.
LIONS
LB Levy scratched
ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Detroit linebacker DeAndre Levy will not play in the Lions' game Sunday at Green Bay because of a quadriceps injury.
The Lions downgraded Levy, linebacker Antwione Williams (hamstring) and cornerback Adairius Barnes (ankle) to out. They also announced Saturday that they signed linebacker Zaviar Gooden to the active roster from the practice squad and waived wide receiver Aaron Dobson.
Gooden was signed to Detroit's practice squad this week. He played in 2013 and 2014 with the Tennessee Titans, appearing in 24 games and making three starts.
Levy also missed Detroit's loss to Tennessee last weekend.
PACKERS
LB Matthews out
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Pass-rushing linebacker Clay Matthews will miss the Green Bay Packers' game on Sunday against Detroit because of ankle and hamstring injuries.
The Packers downgraded Matthews' status for the home opener from questionable to out after practice Saturday. Matthews has not practiced all week.
Green Bay also will be without Morgan Burnett after the starting safety was ruled out on Saturday with a groin injury.
Two other key defensive players with knee injuries were downgraded from questionable to doubtful on Saturday: defensive tackle Letroy Guion and defensive end/linebacker Datone Jones.
Top cornerback Sam Shields (concussion) has already been ruled out for a second straight game.
BROWNS
Kicker signed
CLEVELAND -- Ravaged by injures, the Browns signed kicker Cody Parkey after Patrick Murray injured his knee in practice.
The Browns have been struck by major injuries at a disturbing rate, losing six starters before the season's third game.
Parkey, who previously kicked for Philadelphia, will make his debut for Cleveland today at Miami. He set the NFL rookie scoring record in 2014 for the Eagles with 150 points and made the Pro Bowl. He injured his groin last year and was later waived.
Murray got hurt during Friday's walkthrough. He missed last season with Tampa Bay after tearing a knee ligament. Murray beat out incumbent Travis Coons in training camp this summer.
Murray missed a 52-year-field goal and had an extra-point blocked last week in a loss to Baltimore. The Browns placed him on injured reserve.
Rookie quarterback Cody Kessler will start against the Dolphins following injuries to Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown.
Sports on 09/25/2016