IRVING, Texas — All the negative tests on quarterback Tony Romo’s bruised throwing hand are positives for the Cowboys.
Coach Jason Garrett said Monday the swelling is going down and that a number of tests have confirmed the original diagnosis of nothing being broken in Romo’s right hand. The Cowboys are hopeful he can practice Wednesday.
“We hope in the next couple of days with treatment he’ll be able to take a snap and hold a football and throw it the way he needs to,” Garrett said.
All indications are that Romo will be ready for Sunday night’s game at the New York Giants that will determine who wins the NFC East and goes to the playoffs.
Cutler could play vs. Vikings
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will have pins removed from his surgically repaired right thumb today.
Coach Lovie Smith would not rule him out against the Vikings.
Footnotes. The Vikings expect running back Adrian Peterson to be recovered from left knee surgery for two torn ligaments in time to start the 2012 season. Backup Toby Gerhart will start Sunday.
• Panthers wide receiver Legedu Naanee broke a bone in his right foot and is done for the season. Brandon LaFell will start at New Orleans.
• An MRI revealed that Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson has tendinitis in his left Achilles tendon.
• Niners coach Jim Harbaugh hopes to get tight end Delanie Walker back from a jaw injury — it’s believed to be broken, but Harbaugh wouldn’t provide details — during the playoffs.
• The Ravens could be without guard Marshal Yanda (rib, thigh contusions). If he can’t play, he will be replaced by Andre Gurode. Kick returner David Reed tore the ACL in his left knee and is out for the year. Place-kicker Billy Cundiff (calf) is progressing and could be ready to play against the Bengals.
• Browns linebacker Kaluka Maiava broke his left hand but intends to play with a cast. Coach Pat Shurmur said he will know Wednesday if QB Colt McCoy (concussion) can play.
• Giants coach Tom Coughlin hopes to have wide receiver Mario Manningham (knee) back Sunday. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora (ankle) is a little more iffy.
• Bills coach Chan Gailey ruled out offensive tackle Demetrius Bell (knee, ankle), guard-center Kraig Urbik (right knee) and tight end Mike Caussin (right knee).
• Justin King (shoulder) became the fourth Rams cornerback to be sidelined with a season-ending injury. Coach Steve Spagnuolo said quarterback Sam Bradford’s status remains day to day with a high ankle sprain.
• The Jaguars added defensive end Matt Roth (concussion) and cornerback Ashton Youboty (hamstring) to the injured-reserve list. Defensive end Aaron Kampman is on crutches again after having surgery on his right knee.
