Romo's ragged day raises red flags after back surgery, but Cowboys need bounce back either way

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo looks down at his helmet in the bench area in the final minutes of their NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys lost 28-17. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp) (The Associated Press)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) is sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Justin Smith (94) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (The Associated Press)

Tony Romo made plenty of bad decisions and bad throws before he was a 34-year-old quarterback in the first real test for his surgically repaired back.

It's just that his three interceptions in a disastrous return for Dallas raised all sorts of questions that haven't come up before.

Was he ready or rusty? Can he still make all the throws coming off a herniated disk? Will he ever be the same?

Maybe the more important issue is how he bounces back from a 28-17 loss to San Francisco with the Cowboys needing the good Romo more than ever because of big questions about their defense.

Romo faces Tennessee on Sunday. The Titans intercepted Kansas City's Alex Smith three times in a season-opening win.

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