Cowboys... 20 Panthers... 13

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Tony Romo’s sore thumb appeared fine and the Dallas Cowboys were driving down the field on the way to taking a two-touchdown lead.

Then Terrell Owens sprained his left ankle. The offense stalled, and the concern about Owens overshadowed Dallas’ 20-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday night.

While Dallas (13-2) moved a step closer to clinching home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs behind a solid defense and an improved running game, the Cowboys were dealing with another injury to a key offensive player.

Last week it was Romo, who bruised his right thumb and was ineffective in a loss to Philadelphia. Now it’s Owens, who left in the second quarter after his left leg got caught underneath him after a catch.

“I’m a little sore and in a little pain,” Owens said. “I’ve been through this before. God is good. It definitely could have been worse. I will have an MRI done and we’ll go day to day.”

The Cowboys made it 14-0 a play after Owens left but failed to score another touchdown and were greeted with Owens wearing a boot on his left foot after the game.

Romo threw for 257 yards and a touchdown but wasn’t as effective without his top target.

“Obviously he’s an explosive player who’s going to obviously be missed if he’s not back,” Romo said. “I haven’t heard anything. I don’t know if he’s coming back next week or what.”

After the Panthers (6-9) cut it to 20-13 on John Kasay’s 25-yard field goal with 3:01 left, they decided not to try an onside kick. The Cowboys put it away on Marion Barber’s 11-yard run for a first down with 1:45 left.