ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware returned to action in a limited capacity Thursday, while running back Marion Barber missed practice again.
Owner Jerry Jones, however, anticipates both injured players being ready for Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh.
“I do, yes I do,” Jones said. “DeMarcus got a lot of work today, relatively speaking. Marion didn’t, but Barber, we’ve got to get him supported there. … But I feel good about it.”
Jones hopes Barber, who has a dislocated right pinkie toe, will practice Friday.
But coach Wade Phillips, in his daily briefing with reporters, expressed some doubt about Barber being able to play after he missed another practice.
“Everybody felt sure that he will be able to go, but he hasn’t been able to go yet,” Phillips said. “Obviously, I feel better about DeMarcus and not as good about Marion.”
season, the only other running back currently behind Barber is rookie Tashard Choice.
“Coleman will be it, and he’s practiced good this week,” Jones said.
Ware and Barber were both hurt Thanksgiving Day in the Cowboys’ 34-9 victory over Seattle.
In the locker room before practice Thursday, NFL sacks leader Ware had said he was feeling better since he sustained a hyperextended left knee.
“Everything’s been going well,” Ware said. “They’ve been treating me real well, and I’ve recovered well.”
Ware was already sporting a brace on his knee and said he would wear it in the game. He said he planned to go full speed.
“I won’t even be out there if I’m not full blast, because that’s the way I play,” Ware said. “I’m just excited to just be able to go out and play. … Just to be out there, I’m excited.”
Barber will need some kind of protection in his shoe to stabilize his injured toe.
Jones, speaking before a topping-out ceremony at the new Cowboys stadium, said he had no problem with Phillips’ decision Wednesday to give veteran players Terrell Owens, Greg Ellis, Flozell Adams, Zach Thomas and Marc Colombo a break from practice – even after the team had been off four of the previous five days.
of regular season and then hopefully the playoffs, and we want to keep these veteran players as fresh as we can. … I don’t have a problem with it at all.”
One player needing every practice possible is cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones, who will play for the first time Sunday after a six-game NFL suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
The owner said Adam Jones is in good shape and “doing well in practice.” The cornerback is expected to be involved in kick returns and all defensive packages, maybe even as a starter.
Jerry Jones took part in placing the last beam at the top of the $1 billion-plus facility the Cowboys will move into next season. Construction is scheduled to be completed by June 1.
Among former players attending the ceremony were NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Tony Dorsett, Rayfield Wright and Cliff Harris.
“It’s absolutely unbelievable how big and how beautiful it is,” said Smith, who was inside the new stadium for the first time.
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