FRISCO, Texas -- Tony Romo says Dak Prescott has "earned the right" to take his job as starting quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys.
In a five-minute prepared statement Tuesday, a solemn Romo described the difficulty of dealing with the news of the latest back injury to sideline him, and the 36-year-old reflected on his early days as an unheralded free agent trying to earn a job.
Romo quickly left the brief news conference after saying he wouldn't take questions following his statement.
With Prescott leading the way, the Cowboys (8-1) have the best record in the NFL after tying a franchise season record with eight straight wins. Romo broke a bone in his back in a preseason game.
Romo is expected to be Prescott's backup Sunday at home against Baltimore (5-4). It would be the first time Romo is active for a game since Thanksgiving last year. (See full story.)
Rams: Goff to make NFL debut
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — A person with knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press that quarterback Jared Goff will make his NFL debut on Sunday when the No. 1 pick starts for the Los Angeles Rams.
The source spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because Rams coach Jeff Fisher hadn't made the official announcement.
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Goff watched the first nine games of his rookie season on the sideline for the Rams (4-5), who have one of the NFL's least successful offenses. Veteran Case Keenum has started every game.
But the Rams decided it's time to see what they've got in Goff after the offense failed to score a touchdown in last weekend's 9-6 victory over the New York Jets.
ESPN first reported the decision (see full story).
Seahawks: RB Christine Michael released
RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks released running back Christine Michael after the former second-round draft pick lost his starting job to rookie C.J. Prosise.
Seattle also released veteran defensive tackle Sealver Siliga and signed defensive tackle John Jenkins.
The move by Seattle came as a surprise if for nothing else than depth concerns, but that worry is mitigated by the expected return of Thomas Rawls this week.
Rawls has been out since he suffered a hairline fracture in his shin in Week 2 against Los Angeles and the performance of Prosise on Sunday against New England likely spelled the end for Michael's time with the team.
Vikings: Kicker Walsh released
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings have cut struggling kicker Blair Walsh, two days after he missed his league-leading fourth extra point in a 26-20 loss to the Washington Redskins.
The Vikings announced the move on Tuesday. Walsh was 12 of 16 on field goals and 15 of 19 on extra points in nine games this season. The Vikings started the season 5-0, but have lost four straight games.
After Walsh missed an extra point, had a field goal blocked and misplaced a kickoff in a loss to Detroit two weeks ago, the Vikings brought in six kickers for a tryout. They ultimately decided to give Walsh one more chance, but his miss just before halftime against the Redskins sealed his fate (see full story).
Steelers: DE Cam Heyward out for season
PITTSBURGH — The slumping Pittsburgh Steelers will have to scramble for a playoff berth without defensive end Cam Heyward.
Heyward is out for the remainder of the season after suffering an upper-body injury in Sunday's loss to Dallas. Heyward posted a message on Instagram on Tuesday indicating he was done for the season, but did not go into specifics about the injury.
Coach Mike Tomlin said earlier Tuesday that Heyward was dealing with a pectoral or chest injury and was seeking a second opinion.
Heyward wrote "my role will change as I can not play but it will not change the goals the team has set out."
Pittsburgh (4-5) has dropped four straight heading into Sunday's game at winless Cleveland (0-10).