Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is ahead of schedule in his rehab from back surgery and has already started exercising, according to ESPN.

Romo underwent surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back on Dec. 27, and team officials have almost immediately indicated they expect him to be ready to participate by the start of training camp after he was able to attend team season-ending exit meetings just two days after the procedure.

ESPN reports Romo is already doing core and stabilization exercises, parts of the first phase of rehab after back surgery. Several media media outlets have also reported he will likely soon be cleared to more lower-impact work.

Romo suffered his injury in Week 16, preventing him from playing in the team's winner-take-all, division-winning showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles where a playoff berth was on the line.

Before going down, the 33-year-old Romo completed 64 percent of his passes for 3,828 yards and 31 touchdowns. In his nine NFL seasons, Romo has now thrown for 29, 565 yards and 208 touchdowns, while completing 65 percent of his passes. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Romo also holds the NFL record for most passing yards thru 100 starts.