Life Without Romo

As if losing Sunday's game to the Cardinals on a blocked punt in overtime wasn't bad enough, the Cowboys got injury added to their insult when Tony Romo was diagnosed Monday with a broken pinkie on his throwing hand. He's expected to be out of commission for at least a month, but a Week 10 bye means that Romo potentially could return after sitting out "only" three games.

Romo is tied for the NFL lead with 14 touchdowns and passed for 300-plus yards in four of six weeks while leading Dallas to the league's fourth-most points per game, so it's obviously a massive loss for the Cowboys and his fantasy owners. Brad Johnson will replace Romo and the 40-year-old veteran of 122 career starts gets a very favorable first matchup against the Rams this week.

However, Johnson hasn't started a game since going 6-8 for the Vikings in 2006 and last averaged more than 6.9 yards per throw in 1999. Romo has a 23-9 mark as a starter and has racked up an impressive 8.6, 8.1, and 8.4 yards per attempt in his three years on the job. In other words, don't expect Johnson and his Chad Pennington-like arm to supply Terrell Owens with many good deep-ball chances.

Johnson has always been accurate on mid-range throws, so Jason Witten should maintain most of his value and Patrick Crayton may take on an increased role at Owens' expense. Dallas will no doubt focus more on running the ball with Romo out, but Felix Jones' hamstring injury will keep the rookie from taking advantage of a great opportunity for increased carries.

Instead, count on a very heavy workload for Marion Barber, who clearly becomes the focal point of the offense and has only little-used fourth-round rookie Tashard Choice backing him up. Barber has averaged 18 carries per game and caught a career-high 11 passes Sunday, so 25-30 touches per week is definitely possible while Romo is out. Expect him to destroy the Rams' eight-man fronts this week.

While Romo having Jessica Simpson as his nurse for a month makes me feel far less sorry for him, here are some other notes from around football .

* As nine-point underdogs playing the unbeaten defending champs on national television in front of a frustrated home crowd that's shown a willingness to chant for Brady Quinn, the table was seemingly all set for Monday night's game to be Derek Anderson's last as Cleveland's starter. Instead, the Browns shocked the Giants as he threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns on just 29 attempts.

Anderson finally looked like the risk-taking bomber who stretched field so well in the first half last year, hooking up with Braylon Edwards for a pair of huge gains after completing nothing longer than 25 yards through four games. He shouldn't have to worry about Quinn for the rest of the month, and Anderson has a chance to be a strong QB2 option for road games versus the Redskins and Jaguars.

* Carson Palmer has already been ruled out for Week 7, suggesting that he's not particularly close to returning from the elbow injury that will have sidelined him in three of the past four games. Ryan Fitzpatrick will start in Palmer's place Sunday against the Steelers, which is a recipe for disaster given how badly he struggled versus the Browns and Jets.

Fitzpatrick has completed 60 percent of his throws, but has averaged more yards on 10 scrambles (6.4) than he has on 68 passes (4.5). He's taken eight sacks while posing zero deep threat, so count on the Steelers dialing up a ton of blitzes to make life miserable for the Harvard alum. Whatever chance Chad Ocho Cinco has of turning things around are on hold as long as Palmer is out.

Two-Minute Drill: Responding to various trade rumors, general manager Martin Mayhew said Monday that the Lions "aren't shopping" Roy Williams even though they've "called a few teams about a handful of players" . Despite placing Byron Storer on season-ending injured reserve Monday, coach Jon Gruden hinted that leaving Earnest Graham at fullback isn't an option . With Ladell Betts (knee) set to miss multiple weeks, the Redskins are slated to bring Shaun Alexander in for a tryout Tuesday . Coach John Harbaugh gave Joe Flacco a vote of confidence Monday following his three interceptions in Week 6, saying that the rookie is "our guy" and will "be our starter this year, save injury" . After watching Chris Perry net 1.3 yards per carry Sunday, coach Marvin Lewis said that the Bengals "need to take a hard look" at their backfield situation . According to coach Lovie Smith the hand injury Matt Forte suffered Sunday isn't serious, but he's a poor fantasy bet this week against Minnesota anyway . Amid trade speculation, the Chiefs announced Monday that they'll honor Tony Gonzalez for setting the all-time mark for receiving yards by a tight end prior to this week's game.

Red Zone:Trent Edwards (concussion) practiced fully Monday following the Bills' bye . According to coach Jim Haslett, Marc Bulger "will be all right" for Week 7 despite injuring the index finger on his right hand Sunday . Willie Parker (knee) resumed practicing Monday and said he's "ready to play, man" . Ryan Torain (elbow) went through pregame warm-ups Sunday and may be available in Week 9 following the Broncos' bye . Coach Sean Payton gave no hints Monday about Jeremy Shockey's (groin) status for Week 7, but it sounds like Marques Colston (thumb) is expected to suit up . Coach Jack Del Rio revealed Monday that Mike Walker had to be hospitalized recently due to an infection in his sprained knee and is likely "a couple weeks" from returning . Joey Galloway caught 100 balls during warm-ups Sunday and has a chance to return this week . Coach Andy Reid said Monday that Brian Westbrook (ribs) is "progressing" and may be able to return after the Eagles' bye . Brandon Stokley suffered the 10th concussion of his career Sunday, but is hoping to be medically cleared for Week 7 . Darren McFadden (toe) didn't wear a protective boot Monday, so he looks fully healthy.

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