Jerry Jones isn't ruling Tony Romo out for Cowboys' Week 10 game at Steelers

Romo has been out since the preseason, recovering from a fractured back

For the first time this season, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is not ruling out Tony Romo for Dallas' next game. Jones has in the past immediately shut down any thought of Romo, who is recovering from a fractured back suffered during the preseason, being active for the following week when he has talked to reporters after one of the Cowboys' games.

This week was different.

"Unlike last week, I wouldn't speculate," Jones said, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I don't know. But he will do more. And he's really doing things that are strong relative to last year's strength. He's ahead of last year."

Jerry then artfully dodged the question of whether, if Romo does return, he would be the starting quarterback over Dak Prescott.

"Well you didn't ask a bad question. I just didn't answer your question. We've got a great luxury, a wonderful problem to have. We've got some real talent at our quarterback position. I think Tony Romo is one of the best quarterbacks that have played this game. My real regret would be to have had him here and not won a Super Bowl with him. He's that talented. And now look at Dak and how he's playing, his future, so I just don't have a problem with this situation."

Jerry had maintained early in the season the job would be Romo's upon his return no matter how well Prescott played, but has wavered significantly in recent weeks as the Cowboys (7-1) have stacked wins and Prescott has played brilliantly (except the first 55 minutes vs. the Eagles, though he put it together as Dallas rallied to win).

Dallas is currently the No. 1 seed in the NFC heading into a Week 10 road date vs. Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers.