Cowboys lose QB Tony Romo for likely two months

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is expected to miss about two months with a broken left collarbone, though he won’t need surgery.

The loss of Romo in Sunday’s 20-10 victory at Philadelphia means the defending NFC East champion Cowboys (2-0) will be without their starting quarterback and All-Pro receiver Dez Bryant possibly through October.

Bryant was sidelined for 8-12 weeks by an injury in the Cowboys’ first game.

Coach Jason Garrett said Monday that tests revealed no ligament damage for Romo after the second broken collarbone of his career. The other was in 2010, and he missed the final 10 games of the season. However, Dallas was out of playoff contention before he could have returned.

The most optimistic time frame for Romo’s return is during a two-game Florida swing on Nov. 15 (Tampa Bay) and Nov. 22 (Miami). Otherwise, his absence could approach three months if he skips a short week for the Thanksgiving home game against Carolina and returns Dec. 7 at Washington. Dallas hosts Atlanta Sunday.

Brandon Weeden replaced Romo against the Eagles and threw a clinching 42-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Williams in the fourth quarter.

Cutler’s status unknown

The Chicago Bears can apparently breathe a little easier knowing quarterback Jay Cutler suffered no major damage to his hamstring.

It’s still not clear when he will return to the field.

Amid reports that Cutler will miss at least two weeks, coach John Fox said his QB has a strained hamstring and that tests showed no major damage. Jimmy Clausen figures to start for the Bears (0-2) when they visit Seattle (0-2) this week, although Fox would not confirm that.

Cutler was injured trying to make a tackle after getting intercepted in Sunday’s 48-23 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Cutler walked to the locker room after getting stiff-armed trying to take down Tony Jefferson as he returned the pick 26 yards for a TD late in the first half. The team would not say which of his hamstrings was injured.

Davis’ confidant dies

Al LoCasale, who spent more than three decades as Al Davis’ confidant with the Raiders, has died. He was 82.

The team said LoCasale, who joined the Raiders in 1969 and retired in 2003, passed away. No cause of death was given.

LoCasale was an executive with the AFL when it was born in 1960, working for the Chargers, and was the first personnel director for the expansion Cincinnati Bengals before joining the Raiders.