NFL notes: Cowboys keep Romo on active roster

The Dallas Cowboys will not be placing injured quarterback Tony Romo on the injured reserve list. 

Owner Jerry Jones confirmed on Tuesday that Romo will start the season on the 53-man roster. While Dallas could have opted to place Romo on the injured reserve list, doing so would have ruled the player out until mid-season.

"I don't want to rule out anything," Jones said in a radio interview. "I don't know that anybody is qualified to do that. Medicine basically gives you estimates and guidelines, and I'm not trying to be vague here, but there's no need to rule out anything. We don't have a situation on the 53, this isn't an active roster day-game situation.

"You don't have to spend a lot of time going over and kind of circumcising the mosquito. You don't have to do that over there on him because you look back over on the other side that caused you to make the decision, and there's nobody good enough to take that spot to give you a chance for that if he can come back."

Romo sustained a broken bone in his back after being hit from behind during a Aug. 27 preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. 

The four-time Pro Bowl player has a long history of injuries including two previous back surgeries from 2013 and a twice-broken collarbone in 2014. 

Patriots acquire Eric Rowe from Eagles

The New England Patriots have acquired CB Eric Rowe from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for OG Josh Kline and a conditional fourth-round draft pick.

Rowe was the 47th overall draft pick in 2015. Kline made 17 starts for New England the lasts two seasons but fell out of favour when the Patriots traded for Jonathan Cooper back in March. 

Lane Johnson awaits PED appeal 

Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson is facing a 10-game PED ban. The suspension however is pending an appeal by the player, who claims he took the prohibited ingredient as part of a legal substance that failed to list it on its label. 

While the NFL holds players responsible for the substances they put into their bodies Johnson says he has not yet heard back from the league. "Yeah, I plan on playing this week. No news. So I will go out there and play this week and whatever happens, happens."

Johnson, the fourth-overall selection in the 2013 draft, can continue to play as long as his suspension is being appealed. 

Michael listed ahead of Rawls on Seahawks' depth chart

The Seattle Seahawks don't want to rush running back Thomas Rawls back from his ankle injury. Not when Christine Michael has had a monster preseason.

Coach Pete Carroll has said that Rawls will be active against Miami in Week 1, but at the moment "it's still time to take care of him."

It's unclear how much Rawls will play, leaving Michael with a golden opportunity to carve out a role in the Seahawks' backfield.

Ezekiel Elliott won't be charged in D.V. case

According to sources, Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott will not be charged following a domestic violence investigation which began in July after a woman accused the player of physically abusing her. 

While authorities are yet to confirm, the player's father took to Twitter Tuesday to announce: "My son has been vindicated! Truth has prevailed! If he had violated one of OUR core values I personally would have had him charged!" 

Reports from Adam Schefter of ESPN and Drew Davison of the Star-Telegram also suggest prosecutors will not pursue charges against Elliott.