Jason Garrett concedes that Tony Romo is "champing at the bit" to get back on the field.
But the Cowboys coach wants to see more from the veteran quarterback before he commits to when that return will take place.
Romo took part in Wednesday's practice at The Star, the fifth time in the last two weeks that he's been a participant in at least part of the team's preparation. But this was his first practice as a full participant all season, per the Cowboys practice report. Last week he received medical clearance to return to practice and also began to attend the quarterback meetings leading up to the Cleveland game.
"We'll just have to see where he is," Garrett said before overseeing practice. "Tony has practiced four days over the last couple of weeks. He's been involved in parts of practice on each of those days. We'll do something similar with him today.
"We'll start in individual and see how he does. If we can work him some scout team reps like he did last week, that would be a good day for him.
"Anytime a player comes back from an injury, you have feedback from the player as to how he's doing," Garrett continued. "You watch him as a coach, you see how he's doing. The trainers watch him and you come up with a decision as to what his status is in the game. We'll do that with 10 guys at practice today."
Garrett said the feedback to this point has been positive. Romo is throwing the ball well and feels good coming back the next day after extended work. What does Garrett and the coaching staff need to see from Romo in the next few days to make him active as Dak Prescott's backup in the Pittsburgh game?
"We'll just take his situation day by day," Garrett said.
Garrett made it clear that Prescott will get all of the snaps with the starters in practice this week. The work Romo gets will come with the scout team. The only opening to work with the starters comes on Friday when current backup Mark Sanchez has been given one drive with the starters.
Romo's return to the game day roster is closer. But it's too early to say if it will take place this weekend.
"I think it's all just stages, getting the guys closer and ready to play in a game," Garrett said. "Tony hasn't played in a game in nearly a year, 50 weeks. So you want to get a guy out there again and again and again moving around with people around him.
"The first week he did individual. He did seven on seven. The next week he did more 11 on 11 with people around him.
"Those are all positive steps."
