Jon Kitna coming out of retirement to sign with Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys helmet prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Tony Romo is fully expected to miss this week’s NFC East-deciding tilt against the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Dallas Cowboys are getting ready to turn to veteran backup Kyle Orton as their starter next week. There is still hope that Romo can play, and the tough-as-nails QB took some epidural shots earlier this week to try and ease the pain in his herniated disk. The Cowboys would be crazy to risk further injury to their franchise QB and need to take the cautious route that the Green Bay Packers have wisely taken with their own star QB, and it’s time for Jerry and Stephen Jones to get off of their high horses and do what’s best for the health of Romo. This game has huge ramifications for the playoffs, organization, and Jason Garrett’s job status (Jerry Jones gave him another vote of confidence this week), but it’s just not worth risking Romo.
It seems like the Cowboys are finally preparing to make the right decision and hold Romo out of this week’s game, but the move to coax Jon Kitna out of retirement isn’t a sure sign of anything; they would have needed another backup in the mix at any rate. Cowboys official site beat writer Clarence Hill tweeted that the Cowboys are set to bring back Kitna as Orton’s backup against the Eagles, and it’s an extremely interesting and weird move.
Kitna is probably way past done, since he’s 41 years old. Moreover, he actually retired after the 2011 season and hasn’t done anything of significance since 2010, when he was a solid spot-starter after Romo went down with an injury. I would be surprised if Kitna isn’t way past his expiration date, and the Cowboys decision to even bring back Kitna on the roster is a perplexing one. Sure he knows the team, but is he even a better option than Vince Young as a contingency plan? The Cowboys had better hope that Orton can play well and stay healthy on Sunday, because the only thing working in Kitna’s favor is his track record.