Tony Romo optimistic for Sunday

— -- LONDON -- The Dallas Cowboys' nine-hour flight to London did not bother quarterback Tony Romo.

"The flight was fine," Romo said during a Play 60 event outside Power League soccer pitches adjacent to Wembley Stadium. "I slept. It went by quick and that part of it was no problem."

Whether Romo plays Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars is up in the air, but the Cowboys and Romo feel optimistic he will be able to start. He took part in a mild walk-through on Tuesday upon arrival and then threw some light tosses to school kids from Wembley Primary during the event.

Romo did not play last weekend against the Arizona Cardinals because of two transverse process fractures in his back. Like a number of veterans, Romo was given a first-class seat on the plane to be as comfortable as possible.

"It's progressing," Romo said of his back. "Each day it gets a little bit of improvement, and I think that you just keep trying to figure out what you're able to do each day and then you go on to the next day. We'll figure out if we're able to improve enough to be ready to go."

Romo has not practiced on a Wednesday since Week 2, as the Cowboys want him to rest and strengthen his surgically repaired back. He was not sure if he would follow a similar schedule this week when the Cowboys start practice at Saracens Rugby Club's Allianz Park.

"If you couldn't go in the walk-through, you'd probably struggle getting ready for practice," Romo said. "But it was good."

The decision to play or not will again come down mostly to pain tolerance. The Cowboys believe Romo is on a normal timetable for players who have had similar injuries.

The Cowboys faced an aggressive defense last week in the Cardinals and will face a solid pass rush this weekend in the Jaguars. Jacksonville's 27 sacks are tied for third most in the NFL.

"If I can functionally do what I need to do to help our football team, that's what will make the decision," Romo said. "It won't be based off how they play defense in that manner."