The Dallas Cowboys have reportedly traded for Matt Cassel from the Buffalo Bills after losing Tony Romo to an injury. Cassel will be the replacement for Romo and he could start for the team following the loss of Romo to the IR with designation to return list.
According to Ian Rapoport from NFL.com, the Cowboys have acquired Cassel from the Bills for a draft pick. Todd Archer at ESPN Dallas reports that the team is trading a 2017 draft pick to the Bills for Cassel. The team had Brandon Weeden slotted to start for Romo after being the backup and now Cassel likely will take over. Cassel is making $2 million this season and he was behind Tyrod Taylor on the roster with EJ Manuel for the Bills.
Cassel has starting experience and he comes in after reports that the team worked out free agents, including Josh Johnson, Christian Ponder and Matt Flynn. The Cowboys are going to be without Romo for a long stretch after the quarterback broke his clavicle and now Cassel will be stepping in. Jerry Jones praised Weeden heading into practice this week, but clearly the Cowboys wanted to at least add another arm to the mix with Romo out.
The trade comes the same day that Romo was placed on the injured reserve with designation to return list by the Cowboys. Romo will be out about eight weeks with the injury and now he will be out for the next seven games at the minimum. The Cowboys have a bye on that stretch and Romo should be back on the field if he is healthy by the end of November against the Miami Dolphins.
Dez Bryant is also out and Jason Witten could miss his first game since he was a rookie with injuries to his ankles and knee. Bryant is going to be out for at least six weeks and ESPN reports that it could be closer to 10 weeks for Bryant. The Cowboys still could use Weeden down the line if things don't work out with Cassel, but after trading for Cassel it's likely that he will get the chance to be the starter for this stretch without Romo.
Cassel played in three games last season for the Vikings and he has experience starting in his time in Kansas City and in New England when Tom Brady was injured. Cassel had some good years with the Chiefs, but things fell off on the back end and he ended up in Minnesota, where Teddy Bridgewater pushed him out as starter. Cassel now heads to Dallas.
