I'll be visiting with Cowboys players and head coach Wade Phillips beginning at 1:15 p.m. ET today. The Cowboys have been remarkably healthy this season, but starting running back Marion Barber had to leave Saturday's game after the first quarter because of a bruised left knee. He finished the game with three carries for four yards and his absence allowed Felix Jones to rush for 148 yards and a touchdown.
I fully expect Barber to start against the Vikings, but the Cowboys will continue to limit his carries. You saw what happened when Tashard Choice and Jones were given more opportunities. Choice and Jones both hit the hole a lot faster than Barber and that will be important against a talented Vikings front four.
You'll recall that Choice left the game late in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be another head injury. He was coming off a mild concussion the previous week and he looked a little out of it as he walked off the field with head athletic trainer Jim Maurer.
Right tackle Marc Colombo returned for the first time since suffering a broken leg and didn't appear to have any issues. Left tackle Flozell Adams appeared to be holding his wrist at one point, but I don't expect him to be on the injury report Wednesday.
And regarding that vicious hit by Ken Hamlin on Eagles tight end Brent Celek, I talked to Celek on Sunday and he's doing fine.
I fully expect Barber to start against the Vikings, but the Cowboys will continue to limit his carries. You saw what happened when Tashard Choice and Jones were given more opportunities. Choice and Jones both hit the hole a lot faster than Barber and that will be important against a talented Vikings front four.
You'll recall that Choice left the game late in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be another head injury. He was coming off a mild concussion the previous week and he looked a little out of it as he walked off the field with head athletic trainer Jim Maurer.
Right tackle Marc Colombo returned for the first time since suffering a broken leg and didn't appear to have any issues. Left tackle Flozell Adams appeared to be holding his wrist at one point, but I don't expect him to be on the injury report Wednesday.
And regarding that vicious hit by Ken Hamlin on Eagles tight end Brent Celek, I talked to Celek on Sunday and he's doing fine.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Dan Graziano
Graziano joined ESPN.com in 2011 after two years as a Senior NFL Writer for AOL FanHouse. He covered Major League Baseball, the Olympics and various other sports during his time at the Star-Ledger and the Palm Beach Post. A New Jersey native and author of two published novels, he now lives in Ridgewood, N.J., with his wife and two sons.
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