Cowboys' Tony Romo (back) practices Thursday, expected to play Sunday

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo practiced on Thursday for the first time since injuring his back in Week 8, and owner Jerry Jones said he expects Romo will play on Sunday. Romo fractured two small bones in his back during the team's loss to the Washington Redskins and did not play in last week's loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo practiced on Thursday for the first time since injuring his back in Week 8, and owner Jerry Jones said he expects Romo will play on Sunday, ESPN's Todd Archer reports. 

Romo fractured two small bones in his back during the team's loss to the Washington Redskins and did not play in last week's loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He also injured his back last season and needed surgery last December, but his most recent injury will not require surgery.

After not practicing on Wednesday, Romo said he was optimistic that he will be able to play on Sunday.

• Jerry Rice: Cowboys are 'pretenders' in playoff race

Backup Brandon Weeden started in Romo's place against the Cardinals and threw for just 183 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions as the Cowboys dropped their second straight game.

In eight games this season, Romo has completed 68.2 percent of his passes for 1,998 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Romo is at practice and throwing passes pic.twitter.com/OSgxH5FsU0

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 6, 2014

The Cowboys are 6-3 and in second place in the NFC East. They play the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in London.

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- Paul Palladino