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Tony Romo's season is over, and the Dallas Cowboys will have to win without their star quarterback in a third straight playoffs-or-bust finale.

Coach Jason Garrett said Romo had back surgery Friday, and Kyle Orton will start when Dallas faces Philadelphia on Sunday night with the NFC East title and a postseason berth on the line.

Garrett said Romo underwent treatment all week in hopes of playing after injuring his back in a season-saving 24-23 victory against Washington. The winning TD came after the injury on Romo's fourth-down pass to DeMarco Murray in the final 2 minutes.

Romo hurt himself when he tripped over his foot while trying to escape pressure earlier in the fourth quarter.

"He might have had his finest hour against [Washington] last week, what he did at the end of that ballgame under the circumstances," Garrett said. "Pretty special."

Around the league

Packers • Linebacker Clay Matthews had surgery after aggravating a thumb injury in last week's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coach Mike McCarthy said he didn't know when Matthews would return.

Vikings • Adrian Peterson has created big Metrodome moments. Now it looks as if he won't play in Sunday's final game in the 31-year-old stadium. The running back tried to play through a sprained right foot and a lingering groin injury, but he is doubtful for the final regular-season game against the Detroit Lions.

Patriots • New England released ex-BYU receiver Austin Collie for the second time this season. Collie became expendable with rookie receiver Aaron Dobson returning from injury last week and with fellow rookie Kenbrell Thompkins close to a return. —

Week 17 schedule

Sunday

Houston at Tennessee, 11 a.m.

Detroit at Minnesota, 11 a.m.

Carolina at Atlanta, 11 a.m., Ch. 13

Cleveland at Pittsburgh, 11 a.m.

Washington at N.Y. Giants, 11 a.m.

Baltimore at Cincinnati, 11 a.m., Ch. 2

Jacksonville at Indianapolis, 11 a.m.

N.Y. Jets at Miami, 11 a.m.

Denver at Oakland, 2:25 p.m., Ch. 2

Kansas City at San Diego, 2:25 p.m.

St. Louis at Seattle, 2:25 p.m.

San Francisco at Arizona, 2:25 p.m., Ch. 13

Green Bay at Chicago, 2:25 p.m.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans,2:25 p.m.

Buffalo at New England, 2:25 p.m.

Philadelphia at Dallas, 6:30 p.m., Ch. 5