IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is missing his first practice of the regular season as he takes a day of rest for his surgically repaired back.

Coach Jason Garrett made no reference to Romo not practicing in his morning news conference but talked about Romo’s health.

“He is coming back from an injury,” Garrett said. “He is working his way back through and there has been some good things over the first couple of weeks. He, like everybody else on our team is trying to get better, learn from the things that weren’t good and try to build on the things that were, try to get himself physically right. He goes through a process to get himself right each and every day and over the course of a week.

“I think it’s an important thing for him try to continue to do. Hopefully he will get better and better as the year goes on.”

Romo was in the weight room working out during practice.

He was not the only big-name Cowboy to not participate in the portion of practice that's open to the media.

Wide receiver Dez Bryant (shoulder) was not in pads, but he was catching passes and running sprints off to the side. He hurt his shoulder in the first quarter of last week’s win against the Tennessee Titans but finished with 10 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. He had an extra pad placed under his shoulder pads after returning.

Linebacker Rolando McClain was not spotted at practice either. He has a groin injury that he suffered against the Titans. McClain leads the Cowboys with 15 tackles, a sack and an interception.

Running back Joseph Randle (concussion), defensive tackle Davon Coleman (calf) and linebacker Justin Durant (groin) are not practicing.

Defensive end Anthony Spencer is in full pads and went through individual drills for the first time as he works his way back from microfracture surgery on his left knee. Defensive end Lavar Edwards (knee) also returned to practice after sitting out last week’s game.