Cowboys wait to see if injuries to Barber, Ware affect team
Updated at 8:45 a.m. EST Monday, Dec. 1
The Cowboys are hoping that OLB DeMarcus Ware’s knee or RB Marion Barber’s toe don’t become as synonymous with the team’s troubles as QB Tony Romo’s pinkie was. In the Thanksgiving blowout of the Seahawks, the team suffered injuries to perhaps the two players who are most valuable to the Cowboys’ playoff chances other than Romo. MRIs revealed that neither player tore ligaments or sustained fractures, but their availabilities for next weekend were unknown.
Ware simply is the best defensive player they have, and he might be the best in the league on that side of the ball. His sprained knee didn’t appear to be terribly serious after the game when he stood without pain and appeared to walk comfortably, albeit gingerly. An MRI performed on the knee a day after the Week 13 game revealed there was no ligament damage to the knee. They’ll want him back against the Steelers — the first of four big tests as the team hones in on a playoff spot — even if capable reserve OLB Anthony Spencer easily could slide into Ware’s spot.
The team isn’t nearly as deep at running back, where Barber left the Seahawks game following a dislocated toe. The painful injury also could lead to the team having to make a roster move if he’s not able to play against Pittsburgh. Backup Tashard Choice, who has been thrust into the role with Felix Jones down for the season, has performed admirably (11 carries, 57 yards against the Seahawks) and has impressed the coaching staff with his toughness and focus, but he’s the only tailback left on the roster. Practice-squad RB Alonzo Coleman could be a candidate to be called up if Barber can’t go next week, although owner Jerry Jones sounded fairly optimistic that the extra few days of rest should allow Barber to go next week.
But these injuries show that the Cowboys are thin in certain spots.
It’s one reason that the team has decided to bring back CB-PR Pacman Jones, despite resistance from some of the players. They are thin on special teams with Felix Jones and others out and at cornerback with Mike Jenkins currently banged up.
The Cowboys know they can’t afford to suffer one more critical injury because players such as Ware, Barber and Romo must be at their best to get this team hot down the stretch.
View all WWHI for Dallas
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/default.htm?mode=nfceast
Whispers — NFC East
Some Cowboys teammates won't welcome Pacman back
The Cowboys’ locker room might not be as welcoming for
Pacman Jones as owner
Jerry Jones appears to be. We hear there is a faction of the players that feels that Pacman Jones’ presence could throw off the chemistry and positive swagger that the Cowboys have worked hard to regain. With the playoffs hanging in the balance, the players don’t want any outside distractions during what should be a crucial stretch.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/Whispers/2008/nfceast113008.htm
On a side note, a couple of beat writers believe there is a large segment that's indifferent to his return, with some welcoming him, and others not...
