IRVING, Texas (AP) Defensive end Marcus Spears lounged on a couch in the middle of the Dallas Cowboys locker room, his right leg draped over the side. Quarterback Tony Romo wasn't anywhere to be seen.

Romo wasn't in the locker room when it was open to reporters Monday, when the Cowboys began preparing for a quick turnaround in part by trying to stay off their feet like Spears. But coach Wade Phillips said he is confident the quarterback will be ready to play Thursday despite the soreness from taking a knee to the back.

"We've already talked to Tony and he says he feels a lot better. .... He had a little bit of stiffness. He had quite a bit during the ball game, but says he feels a lot better," Phillips said, adding there are no plans to rest Romo. "Not if he's ready to play. And we think he will be." (MORE)