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This is the second-part of a 12-part series on the Cowboys roster. Today we look at the running backs.


Players: Felix Jones (signed through 2012), Tony Fiammetta (free agent), Shaun Chapas (signed through 2014), Sammy Morris (free agent), Chauncey Washington (free agent), DeMarco Murray (signed through 2014), Phillip Tanner (signed through 2013).

Top free agents: Matt Forte, Chicago Bears; Arian Foster, Houston Texans; Peyton Hillis, Cleveland Browns; Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks; Ray Rice, Baltimore

Top draft prospects: Trent Richardson, Alabama; Lamar Miller, Miami (FL); David Wilson, Virginia Tech; LaMichael James, Oregon; Doug Martin, Boise State.

2011 review: The season started off with uncertainty as Jones took over the starting role after Marion Barber was released. An injury to Jones opened the door for Murray, a rookie, who set a franchise record with a 253-yard rushing performance against St. Louis. Murray's season ended with a fractured ankle, but he rushed for 897 yards. He will become the starter in 2012 and Jones will go back to coming off the bench. Murray is the future and has the skills and mindset to have a bigger season. Fiammetta burst onto the scene as a strong fullback that cleared the way for Murray and Jones to pick up big yards. Tanner has a future as Murray's backup but must have a strong training camp to make the roster again.

Offseason preview: Should the Cowboys consider trading Jones this offseason? It's hard to accomplish a trade with Jones entering the final year of his contract. The Cowboys should explore whether a fourth-or fifth-round pick is available for the former first-round pick. The team doesn't trust Jones to become a 20-down back in the NFL. He's a solid backup, which leads us to Tanner. He should compete with Jones for more playing time. If he makes the roster, he should get more game-day carries and special teams snaps. The Cowboys need to re-sign Fiammetta to maintain the chemistry he developed with Murray. Fiammetta was the glue to a solid running attack in the middle of the season. If Fiammetta's health issues (inner ear infection) are solved, then his return should be considered a positive.

Bryan Broaddus' Scout's Eye: Running back will be a position of strength for the Cowboys going into the 2012 season. Murray was outstanding when given the opportunity to start for the club, which allowed Jones to return to the role for which he is better suited -- backup off the bench. Tanner was a nice fit as a third back who contributes on special teams -- a role that Jerry Jones likes.

The learning curve for Murray was not that steep and he was able to do things as a pass protector that allowed him to stay on the field for more than two downs. The Cowboys were a different offense with Murray in the lineup, and Garrett was a better playcaller. If the Cowboys try to upgrade the position, it will most likely be for Tanner, but he will be tough to replace. I don't see the club using a draft pick on this spot unless it's late and it's a height, weight and speed player with high-quality traits.

Need meter (0-5): 2.

IRVING, Texas -- Today we wrapped up the What Went Right in 2011 for the Cowboys’ series and you can click on the links below to get a recap.

But more than five things went right, even in an 8-8 season that finished with the Cowboys losing four of their final five.

** Laurent Robinson. Little was expected of him when the Cowboys signed him and even less was expected when he hurt his hamstring in his first practice, which led to his release. Once he was re-signed, he was too good to be true. He had 11 touchdown catches and had 54 receptions for 858 yards. He has to be one of the Cowboys’ top priorities in free agency but if a team wants to blow him away with an offer the Cowboys will have to let him go.

** Mike Jenkins. The former first-round pick displayed a toughness some wondered he had after an abysmal 2010 season in which he had too many penalties. He played through a stinger and shoulder injuries but a hamstring strain kept him on the shelf for four games. When he played he was the Cowboys top cornerback and that is not meant to as faint praise. He is in the final year of his contract and the Cowboys should want to keep him.

** Pro personnel department. They found Robinson, Tony Fiammetta, Frank Walker, Montrae Holland and Sammy Morris and all five players helped the team win games. Walker slumped badly down the stretch, but it’s not easy picking guys up off the street and the Cowboys had more hits here.

** Dez Bryant. He developed as a receiver in his second year and was on the field for 15 games. He continues to need work but improved at his craft as the year went on. As Jean-Jacques Taylor wrote, this is a huge offseason for Bryant in terms of his maturity.

** DeMarcus Ware. Complain all you want about how “quiet” his sacks were, but there is not a team in the league that wouldn’t want Ware. He had 19.5 sacks and played hurt down the stretch. Ware was named an All-Pro again, so he had to be doing something right.

Here's the top five:

DeMarco Murray emerges as No. 1 back

Emergence of kicker Dan Bailey

Sean Lee takes over at inside linebacker

Tyron Smith takes over at right tackle

Tony Romo returned to form

IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys have 13 players who will be unrestricted free agents in 2012, and there is a possibility none of them will return.

CB Alan Ball: He started off well in the No. 4 cornerback role, but his play tailed off late in the season when he had to play more. The Cowboys should target corners in the draft and free agency, which means a return is unlikely.

TE Martellus Bennett: He wants a chance to play more and that won’t happen here with Jason Witten ahead of him here. He was saddled with second-round pick expectations but he never lived up to the billing. We’ll see if he can produce elsewhere.

LB Keith Brooking: He knows his career is winding down but he wants to keep playing. With little depth behind Sean Lee and the Cowboys hoping Bruce Carter can be a starter in 2012, is it worth it to bring him back for another year?

OG Derrick Dockery: He did not play poorly in his two starts and given the lack of depth on the offensive line he could be back on a short-term deal.

S Abram Elam: When the Cowboys gave Gerald Sensabaugh $8 million in December that seemed to seal Elam’s fate as a one-year player here. He is a favorite of Rob Ryan and I think the Cowboys should have signed him to the long-term deal, not Sensabaugh.

OG Montrae Holland: He’s in the same boat as Dockery, but he did a good enough job in the 10-game stint at right guard. He will be coming off biceps surgery and teams weren’t knocking on his door last year. Again, a short-term deal could work.

LB Bradie James: He remained the starter but his playing time was cut way back in Rob Ryan’s scheme. To his credit, he never complained and remained the consummate pro. He will get a job somewhere in 2012, but the Cowboys want to get younger and faster.

QB Jon Kitna: He was likely to retire after this season anyway before a back injury ended his season. Maybe the injury fuels him to want to come back for another year, but that is doubtful. I believe he’s ready for his post-playing career.

P Mat McBriar: This is the most interesting case because of the foot injury. Time and rest will help the nerves regenerate but there is no time table on when he will be back. A healthy McBriar is among the best punters in the game. Internal politics will be interesting on this one.

RB Sammy Morris: He did a terrific job as a late-season find, but he was around on Week 15 for a reason. It would be a lot of money to pay a No. 3 running back, especially with Phillip Tanner coming back next year.

WR Laurent Robinson: He was the biggest surprise of the year, finishing with 11 touchdown catches. He proved he could be a starter with Miles Austin out. If a team makes a big-time offer to him, he won’t be back. The Cowboys cannot sign him to a new deal until the new league year begins even if they wanted to sign him now.

LB Anthony Spencer: He was OK but when you’re a first-round pick that’s just not good enough. He did not deliver as a pass rusher and they need help opposite DeMarcus Ware. What helps his cause is the Cowboys don’t have an every-down replacement.

CB Frank Walker: He did a nice job early but tailed off late. Like Ball, the more he played the more he was exposed. Defensive teammates loved him but he was inactive for the final game, which should tell you his future here.

(Note: This was updated to remove Chris Greisen, who will be a restricted free agent, and Daniel Loper, who was cut before the regular-season finale.)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- For some Cowboys, tonight’s game against the New York Giants could be their final game with a star on the helmet.

Here’s a list of the team’s free agents -- unrestricted, restricted and exclusive rights -- going into 2012. This does not include players who could be cut for salary-cap purposes.

Unrestricted free agents
Alan Ball
Martellus Bennett
Keith Brooking
Derrick Dockery
Abram Elam
Montrae Holland
Jon Kitna
Daniel Loper
Mat McBriar
Sammy Morris
Laurent Robinson
Anthony Spencer
Frank Walker
Bradie James

Restricted free agents
Kevin Ogletree
Tony Fiammetta
Chauncey Washington

Exclusive rights free agents
Clifton Geathers
Jermey Parnell
Jesse Holley

IRVING, Texas -- Cowboys starting running back Felix Jones practiced at Valley Ranch on Wednesday and said, "feeling good," and gave a thumbs up regarding his playing status for Sunday night at the New York Giants.

Jones got only a handful of snaps last week versus the Philadelphia Eagles because of a tight hamstring.

Jones didn't practice last week, yet still played in the game after a good walkthrough session the day before the game. Jones finished with 24 yards on just four carries and coach Jason Garrett said he looked good.

In the last three games, Jones has rushed for over 100 yards twice. The consecutive 100-yard games, vs. the Giants and at Tampa Bay, marked the first time that's happened in his career.

With DeMarco Murray out for the season with a fractured ankle, it's up to Jones and veteran back Sammy Morris to take over the running game. Morris has rushed for 82 yards on 25 carries in the two games he's played since signing a contract on Dec. 13.

"You’ll see some subtle differences. [Felix Jones and Sammy Morris] are both two exceptional backs," Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka told reporters. "We have to prepare for them the same ways in terms of how they can stop and start. For us we have to be technique-sound and go back to the same old thing -- if everybody does their job, the defense will be alright."

ARLINGTON, Texas -- After not practicing all week because of tightness in his hamstring, running back Felix Jones lasted one series longer than Tony Romo.

Once the New York Giants’ win was official, Jones was put on ice for the rest of the 20-7 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday. He finished with four carries for 24 yards.

“Felix was getting himself ready all week long to try and play this game,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “He didn’t practice the whole week. He did more stuff yesterday to get himself ready and warmed up well before the game. That was going to be a situation that we were going to monitor based on what was happening up in New York. If he was ready to go and play, we were going to try and give him a go. At the same time we were going to be very mindful of what his condition was throughout the ballgame.”

Sammy Morris, playing in only his second game of the season, carried 13 times for 29 yards and limped off the field in the second half when he took a hit to his knee, but he was able to return. Chauncey Washington, who was promoted from the practice squad Friday, had one carry for minus-1 yard. He also caught two passes for 13 yards.

“Being a veteran I’ve done it a long time, having this situation we had with Felix coming in, we didn’t know what to expect,” Morris said. “That’s the reason why I don’t keep a certain mindset of, ‘I’ve got to get ready for 20 carries,’ or, ‘I have to get ready for five carries.’ I just prepare to be ready.”

No easy answer exists for Jason Garrett today -- even if the New York Giants beat the New York Jets and the Cowboys can still need to beat the Giants next week to win the NFC East.

How much does Garrett use Felix Jones, who did not go through a full practice this week because of a strained hamstring?

Does he ride him hard and try to get the most out of him, knowing the hamstring might render him useless at some point early in the game? Or does he spot him and let Sammy Morris, impressive in his debut last week, do the heavy lifting?

Either way, it would behoove the Cowboys to put forth their best effort either way to win this week. This team isn't good enough to take its chance on a winner-take-all game at MetLife Stadium, when it might not have to.

Garrett must be aggressive. Feed Jones early and hope he holds up.

The Cowboys have a history of December swoons, whether they choose to acknowledge it or not. Their mental health won't withstand a loss to the Eagles.

Garrett will need to ride with Jones as long as he can and deal with the consequences later.

The Cowboys released offensive lineman Daniel Loper to make room for running back Chauncey Washington on the 53-man roster.

This is the third time Loper has been released since he signed with the Cowboys on Oct. 18.

The Cowboys promoted Washington from the practice squad because of Felix Jones’ questionable status. Jones has not practiced all week due to a hamstring strain, meaning that 12-year veteran Sammy Morris will probably play a much larger role than anticipated when the Cowboys signed him less than two weeks ago.

Washington can fill Morris’ roles on special teams, having played six games under special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis for Jacksonville in 2008 and two for the Cowboys in 2009. He has only four carries for nine yards in his NFL career.

Morris, who had been out of the league since the Patriots released him at the end of preseason, impressed with a 12-carry, 53-yard performance in his Dallas debut.

"Morris has been a pleasant surprise,” owner/general manager Jerry Jones said Friday on KRLD-FM. “He's had a good week. Sammy Morris, I think tomorrow he is going to play and he's going to play more than we thought he was going to play thinking back last week. I'm confident he will do a good job.”

When Jason Garrett's Cowboys met at Valley Ranch this week, all they had to do to be reminded of what these Philadelphia Eagles did to them in Week 8 is sit down in their meeting rooms and study the tape of the total domination to understand what they will be up against this weekend.

The Cowboys have faced some quality opponents, but when you study the Eagles you see nothing like the other teams in the league with what you have to deal with from an offensive standpoint. There were days when I was in Green Bay and playing the '90s Cowboys when you went into a game against them trying to figure out how you were going to stop Emmitt Smith from running the ball or Jay Novacek on third downs or Michael Irvin on the slant. Just when you thought that you had one of those areas taken care of, the other players would find a way to take the game from you. This Eagles offense puts a lot of those same thoughts in my mind that I experienced against those Cowboys teams.

In the last meeting between these two teams, Rob Ryan and his staff made the decision to not allow these Eagles wide receivers to make any vertical plays down the field. Safeties Abram Elam and Gerald Sensabaugh, as Ryan put it, played "503 yards deep" from the line of scrimmage. The problem with this decision for Ryan was with his safeties so deep, he opened up the middle of the field.

Then to compound the problem, he lost Sean Lee in the game -- the only linebacker that was athletic enough to make a play in the middle of the field. This was a horrible situation for Ryan because it meant that he had to rely on Keith Brooking and Bradie James, who were exposed in coverage and in the running game. With the deep safeties, it allowed tight end Brent Celek and wide receivers Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson to work crossing routes inside.

When I have studied Vick his last four games, the one area that he likes to attack is the middle of the field. Matter of fact, his best and worst throws come when he is working the middle of the field. Vick just looks more comfortable throwing to targets right in front of him, but like I mentioned he will make mistakes trying to fit ball down the middle against safeties.

McCoy looms as multi-dimensional threat

The deep safeties also hurt Ryan in the running game dealing with LeSean McCoy.

There are three areas that McCoy can hurt your defense.

The first one is on the stretch play when you have the offensive line with full flow running with defenders and he takes the ball all the way to the edge and around the corner. The Cowboys got gashed in the last meeting by the down blocking by tackles Jason Peters and Todd Herremans, who were able to set the edge allowing the ball to get outside. Watch how Marcus Spears, Jason Hatcher and Kenyon Coleman play in this contest, because if the Eagles are running the ball well on the edges, it's probably because the defensive ends are not doing their jobs getting off blocks.

The second way that McCoy hurts you is with the sprint draw. Teams have various ways they run the draw, but the Eagles take full advantage of the ball-handling skill of Vick. Teams try so hard to get up the field and attack the Eagles before they get going that it leaves lanes in the defense. As the defense is coming up the field, Vick does an outstanding job of tucking the ball into McCoy and letting him use his vision and quickness to get the ball up the field past the oncoming defenders.

The final way that McCoy can hurt you is as a pass catcher, whether that is in the flat or more impressively in the screen game. The Eagles love to run screens and they will do them from anywhere on the field. The Eagles are the most dangerous when they get into the red zone and once again try to take advantage of defenders getting up the field. The Eagles will throw wide receiver screens to Jackson, they will use Celek in a delay screen where he blocks for two or three counts, then works his way to the outside in the open field, but the player that gives defenses the most trouble is McCoy. He catches the ball so well on the move and when he gets one-on-one, he can break anyone down. The problem for Ryan is that he doesn't really know when offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg is going to use these screens, but he knows they will.

The Eagles' struggles this season have been with their offensive line. Against the Cowboys in the last meeting, I felt like that they were better than the Dallas front seven. There were too many plays where the Cowboys didn't do a good enough job of getting off blocks allowing the Eagles to control the game upfront.

The best offensive lineman for the Eagles is Peters at left tackle. In the games I was able to study, Peters more than has held his own, whereas earlier in the season, he didn't appear to move all that well. I thought he moved way too slow with his feet, but that has changed.

Teams have taken advantage of the Eagles inside with guards Evan Mathis and Danny Watkins. Rookie center Jason Kelce will get overpowered at the point of attack. The mobility of Vick and the quickness of McCoy really assist this offensive line in overcoming a great deal of their shortcomings.

Smith handles Babin once more

The last time that these two clubs met, there was a great deal of pressure on Eagles defensive coordinator Juan Castillo because of the direction that the defense was going. Losses were mounting and the players that were brought in had yet to truly play as a collective unit.

The buzzword that you will hear in all the pregame shows will be how the Eagles play this defensive alignment of a "Wide 9," which is simply, defensive ends Trent Cole and Jason Babin play wide on the outside shoulder of the tackles Doug Free and Tyron Smith. At times they will be a full man removed from the tackle. When you play this type of scheme, you are asking your ends to get up the field as quickly as possible to disrupt the running game but more importantly cause problems in the passing game. Pass rush is where the Eagles cause the most problems.

Usually your best pass rusher will rush from the offensive left hand side, but the Eagles' best rusher comes from the offensive right. The Green Bay Packers are the same way with Clay Matthews rushing from the offensive right.

Babin, who has a league-leading 18 sacks, is as explosive as any rusher Smith will face all season. As a matter of fact, Babin was the rusher who gave Smith the most trouble with his inside move. Talking to Smith, he now understands what he is up against and I think he is better for it.

Babin is unique with this move because he is able to do it at the depth and level of the quarterback's drop. He has a real feel for how to push up the field and get all of the weight of the tackle on his outside foot then quickly duck underneath. Smith really struggled when Babin used this technique on him.

At the other end is Trent Cole against Free. There should be serious cause for concern here because of the struggles that Free has had with technique this season. Cole is a better run player than Babin.

The Eagles are at their best in run defense when the ball goes wide and they are able to handle the play. It is when teams have run the ball at them that they have had their struggles. I thought the Seahawks did a real nice job with this in the regard that they physically came off the ball, getting hats on hats and making the Eagles fight blocks then have to deal with Marshawn Lynch.

The Eagles' weakness on defense is at linebacker. In studying Akeem Jordan, Jamar Chaney, Brian Rolle and Casey Matthews, I didn't feel like they did a good enough job of taking on blocks. With the injury to Felix Jones, I would not be one bit surprised to see Jason Garrett try to attack this Eagles defense with fullback Tony Fiammetta, Jones and Sammy Morris going straight ahead.

Teams have had also had success running the ball with misdirection plays. By that, I mean starting flow one way and getting the defense to react then bringing the ball backside with an H-blocker or fullback. If Jones was healthy, this is something you might see more of.

In the secondary, Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are the corners with Joselio Hanson as the nickel. Asomugha will play the slot. The last time that these two teams met, he covered Jason Witten when he was in line and in the slot.

Something else to watch for is that Castillo has gone back to some of the old exotic blitz schemes that former defensive coordinator Jim Johnson used. In the Jets and Dolphins games, Castillo used two down linemen and had Cole, Babin and Matthews standing up in the middle of the defense. The Cowboys have had their troubles with blitz pickups when teams put pressure in the middle of the pocket with twist stunts.

Two things must happen this week: the Cowboys receivers must find a way to win on the outside and the offensive line must be able to pick up blitzes in the middle of Eagles defense. If they struggle in either area, you will see sacks much like Mark Sanchez and Matt Moore suffered in their games against the Eagles.

IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys plan to promote running back Chauncey Washington from the practice squad, according to a source.

The Cowboys need depth at running back with Felix Jones' status uncertain due to tightness in his hamstring. Jones has not practiced this week. Sammy Morris, the 12-year veteran who signed last week, is the only other tailback on the roster.

Washington, 26, who was added to the practice squad on Nov. 30, has nine games of NFL experience, including two with the Cowboys in 2009. He has only four carries for 9 yards in his career, but he could replace Morris on special teams if Morris has to play a larger role on offense.

The Cowboys are still discussing what move they will make to open up a roster spot for Washington.

IRVING, Texas -- Cowboys starting running back Felix Jones (hamstring) was doing some rehab work in practice Thursday at Valley Ranch.

Jones was cutting and running some sprints during the open media portion of practice.

"I'm anxious to see how he does today. ... He should be able to get anything he needs to get, [the] game planning and what we're doing and we'll let this thing measure. He did get good stuff yesterday," Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said outside the team weight room following a personal workout.

Felix Jones suffered the hamstring injury in the victory over Tampa Bay last Saturday and didn't get a carry the last five minutes of the game.

If Jones is unable to play, 12-year veteran Sammy Morris will start.

DeMarcus Ware (stinger) and Jay Ratliff (rib muscle strain) also practiced.

Also, Andre Holmes (hamstring), Kevin Ogletree (knee) and Josh Brent (knee) did not practice.

IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys fully expect Felix Jones to play Saturday against Philadelphia despite missing back-to-back practices with a hamstring injury, but the uncertainty could lead to Chauncey Washington’s promotion from the practice squad Friday.

With Jones at least a little bit hobbled, the Cowboys would like to take away some of Sammy Morris’ special teams responsibilities. Last week at Tampa Bay, Morris played on the kickoff and punt coverage teams.

Washington was signed to the practice squad Nov. 30. He went through a similar dance with the Cowboys in 2009 when Jones missed two games with a knee injury. He played for special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis in Jacksonville.

“I’m preparing as if my name gets called upon I’ll be ready,” Washington said.

Like Morris, Washington was out of football when the Cowboys called. His familiarity with DeCamillis’ coverage schemes, experience and the fact that he was practice squad eligible played a big part in the team’s decision to sign him.

“I’ve always kept my body in shape like I’ve played every week,” Washington said, “so my routine’s never really changed.”

IRVING, Texas – It’s possible that Sammy Morris could go from the couch to the Cowboys’ starting lineup in a span of two weeks.

The Cowboys hope Felix Jones’ tight hamstring won’t prevent him from playing Saturday against the Eagles. However, if Jones can’t play, the Cowboys’ starter will be a 34-year-old who thought he was done with football until the Cowboys called last week.

“It just shows you how fast things can change,” Morris said. “I thought my life was going in this direction, and it ends up going in the other direction. You just never know what you are going to get, and you just got to be prepared for whatever does happen.”

Morris, a 12-year veteran, was cut by the New England Patriots at the end of the preseason. After a couple of months without hearing from another team, Morris assumed his football career was over, although he continued to train.

He finally heard from a team when Dallas developed a desperate need at running back. The Cowboys signed him to replace DeMarco Murray when the rookie star went on injured reserve due to a fractured ankle. Rookie Phillip Tanner, the Cowboys’ third-string back, had been placed on injured reserve the previous week with a strained hamstring.

Four days after signing, Morris carried 12 times for 53 yards, quite an impressive feat given the circumstances. The Cowboys might need even more from Morris, a teammate of coach Jason Garrett’s with the 2004 Dolphins, against the Eagles on Saturday.

Morris has gotten much more work during this week’s practices with Jones not participating. But the graybeard back says his approach hasn’t changed.

“It's not really complicated,” Morris said. “It's help the team win, whether it's five carries or 25.”

It’s a challenge for Morris to learn the Cowboys’ system and verbiage on the fly despite his high football IQ. And it’s asking a lot physically for somebody who has never been a featured back to move into that role in such a high-stakes game at his age.

“You think about both of those things,” running backs coach Skip Peete said. “Obviously here is somebody who is not really doing a whole lot probably besides working out on his own or with a personal trainer. Now you’re asking him to go in an NFL game and carry the ball quite a bit and pass protect and do all those things he did. Plus, not make mistakes to hurt you.”

The Cowboys hope they don’t have to ask that much of Morris.

IRVING, Texas -- Felix Jones is missing his second straight day of practice because of hamstring tightness, but the Cowboys continue to express faith he will play Saturday against Philadelphia.

Executive Vice President Stephen Jones said the team was being cautious because Jones is the only full-time running back available. Sammy Morris signed last week and had 12 carries for 53 yards against Tampa Bay. Chauncey Washington is on the practice squad.

While Jones is out, outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware and nose tackle Jay Ratliff were back to practice after missing Tuesday’s session. The Cowboys will have to manage Ware (stinger) and Ratliff (rib muscle strain) for the rest of the season in practice.

Wide receiver Kevin Ogletree was back to work after he could not finish Tuesday's practice after banging knees with a player in practice.
Safety Danny McCray (ankle) also missed his second straight day of practice. Wide receiver Andre Holmes (hamstring) and nose tackle Josh Brent (knee) are also missing practice.

IRVING, Texas -- Cowboys wide receiver Kevin Ogletree bumped knees with another player during Tuesday's practice and underwent an MRI exam.

Team officials don't think it's serious and it's uncertain if he'll practice on Wednesday. The Cowboys don't have to release an injury report on Tuesday but must do so Wednesday and Thursday.

Also, starting running back Felix Jones has a tight hamstring and he was held out of practice on Tuesday. It was mainly as a precaution. Jones is coming off a 22 carry 108 yard performance last week at Tampa Bay. Jones rushed for 100 yards in consecutive games for the first time in his career.

With Jones out, Sammy Morris got the bulk of the carries with the first-team offense. In his Cowboys' debut, Morris rushed 12 times on 53 yards after just three days of practice and being off for 12 weeks while he awaited for another team to sign him.