Dallas Cowboys starting tailback Marion Barber, clearly lacking his usual burst, likely won’t be back to his punishing self for some time.
"He’s not completely healthy. That thing’s going to take time," Cowboys running backs coach Skip Peete said of Barber’s lingering quadriceps strain, which Peete said could tug unpleasantly at Barber for up to 10 weeks.
"He’s just got to keep strengthening. He’s a little weaker than he was prior to being hurt," Peete added. "He’s doing well. He just doesn’t have the burst that he’s had before he got injured."
Felix Jones continues to cautiously work his way back from a strained ligament in his knee that’s sidelined him for two games. Jones stretched with the team Wednesday and remains relegated to light running and working with trainers.
He hopes to practice next week and to play against Atlanta a week from Sunday.
"I don’t want to make any promises like I did last year," Jones said. "I’m being careful with the intensity level I have. I’m not going to be hurting myself, trying to kill myself. I’m going to work hard, do my thing, and there’s a good possibility for next week."
Tashard Choice, the team’s third-down back, has been the beneficiary of the injuries. He’s second behind Barber in rushing yards with 225 and he has more than doubled Jones’ 21 carries.
Cowboys news
