Marion Barber News: Pro Sports Daily

Barber Probable: knee flares and reserves Choice, Jones know what to do

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January 16

Dallas Morning News

"Marion Barber's bursa sac is good to go. The Cowboys running back will play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. He participated fully in Friday's practice, his only unlimited workout this week, and is listed as probable on the official injury report. Barber, Dallas' leading rusher during the regular season, provides a powerful element. But the Cowboys are fully prepared if his left knee doesn't cooperate. Barber was taken out of the game after his third carry in last week's wild-card victory over Philadelphia. The Cowboys compensated with Felix Jones running for a career-high 148 yards on 16 carries, including a 73-yard touchdown. Tashard Choice, usually used primarily on third downs and ..."

Barber makes progress toward playing Sunday

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January 15

San Antonio Express-News

"Cowboys starting running back Marion Barber is making progress toward playing in Sunday's NFC divisional-round playoff game at Minnesota. Barber was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, a sign that "it's looking better and better for him playing" against the Vikings, coach Wade Phillips said at a news conference in Irving. "He did run some and ran pretty well," Phillips said. "That was an encouraging sign with him." Barber sat out Wednesday's workout with a swollen bursa sac in his left knee, an injury that limited him to three carries in Saturday's 34-14 wild-card win over Philadelphia. "He feels a lot better than he did last week," Phillips said. Phillips confirmed that Barber ..."

Wade Phillips encouraged by Marion Barber's progress

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January 15

Dallas Morning News

"As expected Marion Barber was limited in Thursday's practice with a bruised knee, but coach Wade Phillips was encouraged by the running back's progress. "We'll see what he does [Friday] but it's looking better and better for him to be able to play," Phillips said. If Barber is dressed, Phillips expects Barber to be a starter. Running backs coach Skip Peete said he will watch Barber closely during warmups and early in the game should he play. Peete noticed Barber was not as explosive vs. Philadelphia last week and took him out of the game. He said Barber could have played but with a big lead and the success of the other running backs it was wise to rest Barber."

Left knee still bothering Cowboys' Barber

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January 14

Dallas Morning News

"Marion Barber has told the coaching staff he wants to play Sunday against the Vikings, but he remains sidelined by a swollen bursa sac in his left knee. Although Barber did not practice, as expected, on Wednesday, he did participate in the morning walkthrough. "If there's any way he can play in the game, I think he will," coach Wade Phillips said. "And I think he's better, so we'll see [today] as far as practice is concerned." Barber was slowed earlier this season with a quadriceps pull. He was listed on last week's injury report as probable for last Saturday's wild-card game against Philadelphia. He had three carries before getting pulled because of swelling."

Cowboys' Barber held out of practice

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January 14

San Antonio Express-News

"Cowboys coach Wade Phillips remains optimistic that starting running Marion Barber will play Sunday at Minnesota even though he was held out of practice Wednesday. A knee injury left over from the regular season limited Barber to only three first-quarter carries in Saturday's wild-card win over Philadelphia. But Phillips said Barber's knee has improved and that he's determined to play in front of his friends and family at the Metrodome. Barber, a Minnesota alum, grew up in nearby Wayzata, Minn. "Marion really wants to play in this ballgame," Phillips said. "If there is any way he can play, I think he will. And I think he's better." Asked if Barber has talked to him about playing, Phillips ..."

Barber will miss Wednesday's practice to rest injured left knee

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January 12

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Marion Barber will not practice Wednesday, Wade Phillips said Monday. Barber has a swollen brusa sac in his left knee, which is limiting the running back. He had a magnetic resonance imaging exam on Monday to check for structural damage.Barber was put on the injury report Thursday when he was limited in practice. He had only three carries for 4 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles before giving way to Tashard Choice and Felix Jones. "When I saw him, to me, in the first couple of plays, he didn't look like he was the Marion Barber I was accustomed to seeing," running backs coach Skip Peete said. "I told him, 'I'm going to give you one more play, and if I don't see what I think is you, I'm ..."

Phillips says Barber should play

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January 12

San Antonio Express-News

"Cowboys coach Wade Phillips is optimistic running back Marion Barber will bounce back from a knee injury and play Sunday at Minnesota. Barber logged only three carries in Saturday's win over Philadelphia. He was listed as probable after missing practice time last week with a sore knee sustained in the regular-season finale. Barber is receiving treatment and will be held out of practice Wednesday. "We think he's going to be alright," Phillips said. "He's already better than he was last week and better than he was after the game." Phillips said running back Tashard Choice didn't have a concussion Saturday. He left late in the game after taking a hard hit, one week after he actually had a ..."

Barber shows Vikings' Rice some high-impact training

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January 12

Dallas Morning News

"Being around Marion Barber makes Sidney Rice want to throw up. Wait, that's not quite right. To be precise: Rice spent more than a month living in Barber's Miami home last spring, and yes, he threw up almost daily, the Vikings' Pro Bowl receiver said. And for that, Rice is genuinely ... grateful? Yep. Barber, who will suit up against his off-season friend in Sunday's NFC divisional playoff in Minneapolis, "showed me the hardest workout I've ever been through," Rice said. The Cowboys' running back "helped me get in the best shape of my life." Helped him have the breakout season the Vikings projected when they drafted him in the second round in 2007, too. Rice is a Great Lakes version of ..."

Cowboys hopeful knee injury won't sideline Barber

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January 12

Dallas Morning News

"Cowboys running back Marion Barber will not practice Wednesday, but Tashard Choice has been cleared to return. Although Barber has been slowed by a swollen bursa sac in his left knee, coach Wade Phillips remains optimistic that he will be able to play Sunday against Minnesota. The injury limits Barber's range of motion, causing him discomfort as he tries to make a move and accelerate. "We will rest him Wednesday," Phillips said. "We think he's going to be alright. He is better than he was after the game. I know he wants to play, going back to Minnesota. We'll monitor it." Barber, who played for the University of Minnesota, was limited to three carries and four yards in Saturday's wild-card ..."

Marion Barber slowed by swollen bursa sac

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January 11

Dallas Morning News

"A swollen bursa sac in Marion Barber's left knee is slowing the Cowboys running back. The injury limits Barber's range of motion, causing him discomfort as he tries to make a move and accelerate, which is why he was limited to three carries and 4 yards in Saturday's wild-card victory against Philadelphia. Barber played mostly in the first quarter and a few series, but he did not see any time in the second half. As he walked to the locker room after the game, he was noticeably limping. Barber's absence meant a career-high in carries (16) and yards (148) for Felix Jones and 14 carries, his most since Week 4, for Tashard Choice, who gained 42 yards and scored a touchdown."

Cowboys end 13-year playoff drought, beat rival Eagles

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January 10

San Antonio Express-News

"For all those skeptics who thought their sizzling regular-season finish was merely an aberration, the Dallas Cowboys proved that a new day has indeed dawned in roasting the overwhelmed Philadelphia Eagles 34-14 on Saturday night to end a franchise-worst 13-year drought without a postseason win. In the first playoff game at their $1.2 billion stadium, the Cowboys dominated in all three phases and never trailed, leading 27-7 at halftime and 34-7 after three quarters. Tony Romo threw a pair of touchdown passes, Felix Jones ripped off a dazzling franchise-playoff record 73-yard TD run and coach Wade Phillips' rugged defense forced four turnovers and recorded four sacks as Dallas delighted a ..."

Jones and Barber: Dallas' difficult duo

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January 9

Camden Courier-Post

"As if Marion Barber, Tony Romo, Jason Witten and Miles Austin weren't enough. The Eagles felt the sting of yet another Dallas Cowboys playmaker in their 24-0 loss last Sunday, when second-year halfback Felix Jones blazed for 91 rushing yards, his highest total since Sept. 28. Jones, who averaged 6.1 yards per carry, gives the Eagles another problem to ponder this week, especially after his 49-yard touchdown scamper in the third quarter officially sealed Dallas' claim to the NFC East title. His 15 carries were the most of his career, as the Cowboys attacked the Eagles' front seven with the combination of Jones and Barber, who combined for 182 rushing yards and set the early tone. "They're ..."

Dallas Cowboys Ware, Barber practice; both listed as probable

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January 9

Dallas Morning News

"DeMarcus Ware took part in Friday's walkthrough after missing Thursday's practice with a sore back and is listed as probable for tonight's wild-card game against Philadelphia. Running back Marion Barber, who was limited Thursday with a bruised knee, took part in the walkthrough Friday and also is listed as probable on the injury report. Safety Pat Watkins is questionable with a knee injury that forced him to miss the final two regular-season games. Marc Colombo will start after a seven-week absence following ankle surgery and a fractured left fibula and is listed as probable, as are cornerback Terence Newman (knee), running back Tashard Choice (concussion) and safety Gerald Sensabaugh ..."

Cowboys' Garrett finds more effective way to employ Barber, Jones

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January 7

Dallas Morning News

"A running game that hit bottom nearly five weeks ago has regained its equilibrium with a subtle shift. Marion Barber carried the ball roughly twice as much as Felix Jones over the first three months of the season. But over the last four games, Barber has 62 carries for 263 yards while Jones has 49 carries for 258 yards. The Cowboys no longer alternate the backs by series. They will often alternate them from one play to the next. "It confuses them, I think," Jones said of defenses. "It's hard to focus on one running back and another one coming in. "Me, I don't play defense, but I figure it's hard. They have to adjust to it, so it helps us out a lot." Coach Wade Phillips said the Cowboys ..."

Cowboys' Barber and Jones: Thunder and lightning

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January 5

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Dallas Cowboys aren't the first team to find success with a running back tandem. The Cowboys' 1-2 punch of Marion Barber and Felix Jones is slightly different in that defenses never know which punch the Cowboys are going to throw on any given running play.Rather than alternate possessions, Jones and Barber often alternate snaps. Just when a defense gets a feel for Barber's running style, Jones enters the game and changes the tempo."The running game has been the key for the last several games," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. "It works better if we just put them in there. It's a change of pace that I think is hard on defenses."Against the Eagles on Sunday, Barber started and broke off ..."

Barber, Jones make for potent Cowboys' running attack

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January 5

Philadelphia Daily News

"On the stat sheet, it was difficult to tell Dallas running backs Marion Barber and Felix Jones apart.Barber, the starter, ran 14 times for 91 yards in the Cowboys' 24-0 rout of the Eagles in the regular-season finale. Jones, his backup, rushed 15 times for 91 yards. Both averaged more than 6 yards per carry. Jones' longest run was 49 yards, Barber's 32.How they reached those nearly identical statistical lines, though, was not similar at all.Barber is all power and toughness, a hard runner who muscles through tackles. Jones is all flash, a speed back who tries to bolt through a hole or outside to the corner before the defense knows what hit it.Early in the season, the Cowboys hit on a way ..."

Marion Barber's slump becomes a concern

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December 29

Dallas Morning News

"Marion Barber is a prototypical power back except for one detail - he's struggling in short-yardage situations. In the last three games, Barber is 2-for-7 on third and fourth downs with 1 or 2 yards to go. He was 10 of 11 in those situations in the previous 12 games. In Sunday's win over Washington, Barber failed to convert four of those short-yardage situations. He was stopped at the 1 three straight times against San Diego. "We're addressing that," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said Monday. "We had been doing well on third-and-1s. We had about 75 percent going into this last game. We had some trouble on the goal line against San Diego, but that was goal-line offense and goal-line defense ..."

Predictable Dallas Cowboys help Chargers on goal-line stand

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December 14

Dallas Morning News

"San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers passed for 272 yards and one touchdown. And the Chargers put together a clock-guzzling late drive to secure victory. But they were most electrified by four defensive plays late in the second quarter: •Marion Barber off right guard for 3 yards to San Diego's 1. •Barber off right guard for no gain. •Barber off right guard for no gain. •Barber off right guard for no gain. Dallas' strategy caught none of the Chargers by surprise. Actually, they were shocked that the same play kept coming. "They called the same play over and over," said San Diego inside linebacker Tim Dobbins, who plays primarily in short-yardage situations. "I don't know what they were ..."

Cowboys' offense shorts out again vs. San Diego

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December 14

Dallas Morning News

"In the first quarter Sunday, Cowboys coach Wade Phillips predicted a high-scoring game by having the offense go for it on fourth-and-4 in San Diego territory. The offense picked up the first down, but the gamble only led to a field goal. With that, the Cowboys determined their fate. When they needed touchdowns, the Cowboys got a field goal or worse. When the moments were ripe for success, the Cowboys blinked. Or hooked a field goal try. Or failed to score from the Chargers' 1 on three consecutive tries when it was football at its most basic. "We let opportunity slip away," tight end Jason Witten said. In the first half, the Cowboys had three prime scoring possessions: first downs at the ..."

Cowboys get Redskin reprieve

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November 23

San Antonio Express-News

"Kool and the Gang's "Celebration" blared over the Cowboys Stadium loudspeakers after Sunday's game. But receiver Patrick Crayton suggested a more appropriate theme song for the Dallas Cowboys' 7-6 win over Washington would have been the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive." Who could argue after watching Tony Romo ignore intense back pain to escape heavy pressure and throw the winning 10-yard touchdown pass to Crayton with 2:41 left? The play rescued an offense that was awful for a second straight week, a puzzling trend for a team that scored 30-plus points in four of its first seven games but has averaged only 10.3 the last three. "Staying alive - that's all you've got to do in a game like this," ..."

Barber looms as the hammer

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October 28

Dallas Morning News

"Sunday is one of those games in which you turn the ball over to Marion Barber.The best thing the Seattle defense did in 2008 was play the run. But the underbelly softened in the off-season when tackle Rocky Bernard left for the New York Giants in free agency. He was Seattle's most active lineman last season with 55 tackles.Two weeks ago, Seattle's inside run defense took an even bigger hit when middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu suffered a torn chest muscle in a 27-3 loss to Arizona. With three Pro Bowls in his four seasons, Tatupu is the linchpin of the defense.Former TCU standout and Corsicana native David Hawthorne figures to draw his second career start in place of Tatupu on Sunday, when ..."

Barber, Ware on injury report but both will play

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October 22

Dallas Morning News

"Running back Marion Barber and linebacker DeMarcus Ware - two key starters - were added to the team's injury report Wednesday. An X-ray revealed that Barber has a broken left thumb. An MRI showed that Ware has a stress fracture in his left foot. Both will start Sunday against Atlanta, Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. Phillips said that Barber felt like he jammed his thumb during the Kansas City game Oct. 11. He practiced last week and the swelling went down, Phillips said, but Barber's thumb was still sore this week. "We can cast it, and he can play," Phillips said. Barber is one of three Cowboys starters with a broken thumb, joining right guard Leonard Davis and strong safety Gerald ..."

Barber expected to start vs. Atlanta

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October 20

ESPN.com

"Running back Marion Barber will continue to start for the Dallas Cowboys, but backup Tashard Choice will get more carries, owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday on his weekly radio show. Barber suffered a thigh injury against Carolina on Sept. 28, and he's still not fully recovered heading into Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. "I can tell you Barber is going to be in better shape than he was last week or two weeks ago," Jones said. "But Tashard is certainly earned and going to get a big part of the load." Choice's carries have fluctuated since Barber's injury. He carried 14 times for 33 yards in a loss at Denver on Oct. 4, but had just eight carries in the overtime victory over Kansas ..."

Cowboys tapping Choice yet again

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October 4

San Antonio Express-News

"Dallas Cowboys running back Tashard Choice will be on familiar footing today. For the second time since they drafted him in the fourth round in 2008, the Cowboys are counting on Choice to give them a spark against a team sporting the league's top defense. When Marion Barber and Felix Jones were sidelined with injuries late last season, Choice started against the Pittsburgh Steelers and their No. 1-ranked defense and gained 166 total yards in a 20-13 loss. Now, with Jones again out with yet another injury and Barber troubled by a thigh injury, the Cowboys (2-1) hope Choice can flex his muscles in Denver as he did in Pittsburgh. The Broncos (3-0) are No. 1 in total defense (214.7 yards) and ..."

Dallas Cowboys RB Marion Barber expected to play Sunday

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October 2

Dallas Morning News

"Cowboys starting running back Marion Barber is expected to play Sunday at Denver, owner Jerry Jones and coach Wade Phillips said Thursday. Barber was held out Monday against Carolina with a left quadriceps injury. Barber had been limited in practice since suffering his injury in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys' loss to the New York Giants two weeks ago. But he participated fully in Thursday's practice, and Phillips said he doesn't expect Barber's playing time to be limited Sunday. "He looked pretty good," Phillips said. "He accelerated when he ran the football. It wasn't just a jog through or anything. He said he felt good. He said he felt like he'd be ready on Sunday. He was all right ..."

Jerry Jones: We expect RB Marion Barber to play Sunday

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October 1

Dallas Morning News

"Cowboys owner Jerry Jones just stopped by practice and said that he expects starting running back Marion Barber to play Sunday against Denver. Jones said Barber will do more in practice today than he did yesterday. "He did more [Wednesday] than we thought and will have expectations," Jones said of Barber playing against Denver on Sunday. "I would like to reserve that [decision] to after practice, but I bet he's pretty aggressive out here in practice, listening to how he responded [Wednesday] and listening to these trainers. I'm glad he's looking as good as he did. I think we made the right decision last week [not playing Barber against Carolina]." Jones said if Barber looks "really ..."

Jones: Barber doubtful vs. Panthers

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September 28

ESPN.com

"Owner Jerry Jones described running back Marion Barber's status as "doubtful" for the Dallas Cowboys' "Monday Night Football" game against Carolina. Speaking to a group of reporters at a MNF event in Dallas, Jones said coaches would take a "conservative" approach to Barber playing because the Cowboys have two healthy backs in Felix Jones and Tashard Choice ready to play against the winless Panthers. Barber has desperately tried to ready himself after suffering a left thigh injury on his final carry of the Cowboys' 33-31 loss to the New York Giants in Week 2."

Barber's status still in doubt for Cowboys

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September 24

San Antonio Express-News

"Running back Marion Barber was at practice Wednesday for the Dallas Cowboys, but his presence did little to clear up questions surrounding his availability for the team's next game. Barber strained the quadriceps muscle in his left leg late during the 33-31 loss to the New York Giants and is questionable for Monday night's game against Carolina. Because the league doesn't require teams playing on Monday night to submit an official injury report Wednesday, the Cowboys declined to reveal Barber's level of participation in the workout. "We really don't want to comment on injuries today in case somebody from another city would find out," coach Wade Phillips said. During the portion of practice ..."

Marion Barber talks a positive game

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September 24

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Marion Barber is nicknamed "The Barbarian" for a reason. The robust 222-pounder is a man of action, and few words. So much so that his powerful, 124-yard rushing performance Sunday, the final 35 yards coming on a full-sprint breakaway before he lunged to the turf with a quadriceps strain, might have earned him NFC offensive player of the week candidacy had the Cowboys not failed to put away the New York Giants. So much so that Barber's unrivaled silence this season during daily 45-minute locker-room media sessions had him on the verge of earning an NFL fine of $25,000. So Barber, the workhorse of the Cowboys' three-headed rushing attack, sat at his locker Wednesday and spoke, reluctantly ..."

Will Barber play Monday? Dallas Cowboys RB won't say

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September 24

Dallas Morning News

"It was read-through-the-lines day at Valley Ranch on Wednesday. Cowboys running back Marion Barber spoke, reporters scribbled notes, and then came the tricky part - determining what, exactly, Barber said. The Cowboys' leading rusher suffered a strained left quadriceps Sunday. An MRI was negative. He practiced Wednesday and is questionable for Monday night's game against Carolina. It should be noted that being questionable does not mean Barber wants to answer questions. He rarely does interviews because, well, he rarely has much he wants to share with a stack of digital recorders. In fact, the only reason Barber said anything Wednesday was because the NFL ordered him to talk to the ..."

Barber might miss Panthers game with injury

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September 23

Charlotte Observer

"Texas Felix Jones and Tashard Choice are prepared to move up the depth chart, if necessary, for Monday night's home game against the Carolina Panthers. An MRI on Monday confirmed that Marion Barber has a quadriceps strain that could sideline him after an impressive start to the season. He suffered the setback late in the fourth quarter Sunday night during a 35-yard run. With three tailbacks on the roster, Barber has been the workhorse, accounting for 32 of the team's 53 carries. After his 124-yard performance in the 33-31 loss to the New York Giants, Barber has 203 yards and two touchdowns. Jones, who would replace Barber, has 13 carries in the two games, yet has racked up 118 yards for a ..."

Reports vary on Barber's status

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September 23

San Antonio Express-News

"Conflicting reports surfaced Tuesday regarding the status of Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber. Citing anonymous sources, television station KXAS-TV in Dallas-Fort Worth reported Barber would miss one-to-two weeks after straining the quadriceps muscle in his left leg. But ESPN.com, citing an anonymous league source, reported Barber received treatment in the hopes of playing against Carolina on Monday. Coach Wade Phillips is expected toBarber's status at a news conference today after the team's first practice since its 33-31 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday. Barber suffered the injury at the end of a 35-yard run in the fourth quarter, his 18th and final carry in a 124-yard, ..."

With Barber's injury, Cowboys backups Jones, Choice ready to pitch in

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September 23

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Felix Jones and Tashard Choice are prepared to move up the depth chart, if necessary, for Monday night's home game against the Carolina Panthers. An MRI on Monday confirmed that Marion Barber has a quadriceps strain that could sideline him after an impressive start to the season. He suffered the setback late in the fourth quarter Sunday night during a 35-yard run. With three tailbacks on the roster, Barber has been the workhorse, accounting for 32 of the team's 53 carries. After his 124-yard performance in the 33-31 loss to the New York Giants, Barber has 203 yards and two touchdowns. Jones, who would replace Barber, has just 13 carries in the two games, yet has racked up 118 yards for a ..."

Source: Barber '50-50'

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September 22

ESPN.com

"Nursing a strained quadriceps muscle in his left leg, Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber is "50-50" to play against the Panthers on Monday, a league source told ESPN.com on Tuesday. An MRI taken Monday morning confirmed the strain. Coach Wade Phillips said the Cowboys would have to "wait and see on that" when asked about Barber's status during Monday's news conference. The Cowboys will see how Barber's quad responds to treatment over the next few days and then make a decision. Television station KXAS-TV in Dallas-Fort Worth cited anonymous sources in reporting on Tuesday that Barber will miss one to two weeks."

Extent of Barber's injury unknown

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September 22

San Antonio Express-News

"The Dallas Cowboys have identified Marion Barber's left leg injury as a quad strain, but they're uncertain whether it will sideline him. Barber had an MRI on Monday, but the team has yet to release the results. "We don't know the extent of it," coach Wade Phillips said. The injury occurred on a 35-yard run in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys' ?33-31 loss to the Giants. Barber logged 18 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown. Felix Jones added seven carries for 96 yards and a TD as the Cowboys amassed 251 rushing yards, their most since 1993. Second-year player Tashard Choice said he'll be ready for an expanded role should Barber be unable to face Carolina next Monday."

Quad strain could sideline Cowboys Marion Barber

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September 22

Dallas Morning News

"A quad injury did what New York's defense couldn't. It shut down Marion Barber at the end of Sunday's game. And it could keep him out even longer. An MRI taken Monday morning confirmed Barber suffered a quad strain. When asked later in the afternoon if the injury could force the running back to miss some time, head coach Wade Phillips said, "We'll have to wait and see on that." How the injury responds in the next few days will determine if he's able to play against Carolina."

Barber hobbles off, no word on status

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September 21

Dallas Morning News

"Marion Barber's 35-yard run with 4:02 left in the game set up the Cowboys' go-ahead touchdown. But Barber injured himself on the play. On the run, it appeared that he had broken into daylight and scored, but he suddenly went down before any Giants hit him. He hobbled to the sideline. As of late in the game, the Cowboys had not released information about Barber's injury."