Dallas Cowboys' Barber iffy; Giants' Jacobs out

Dallas Cowboys' Barber iffy; Giants' Jacobs out
December 13
Dallas Morning News
"It's still unclear whether Cowboys running back Marion Barber will play Sunday. But the Giants went ahead and ruled out their top running back, Brandon Jacobs, with a knee injury.

Jacobs suffered a left knee injury Oct. 5 and, despite the pain, played in all of New York's subsequent games except one. He has a team-high 1,002 rush yards and is a major reason why the Giants have the No. 1-ranked rush offense in the NFL.

Against Dallas, the Giants will split the workload between Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw. Ward has rushed for a career-high 669 yards this season, and Bradshaw is averaging 5.9 yards per carry.

"The scheme is the scheme, and we have always utilized whichever back was in there in the way that they could be," Giants coach Tom Coughlin told New York reporters Friday.

Barber, who has a dislocated right little toe and a calf injury, didn't make the trip with the Cowboys for last week's game at Pittsburgh.

Barber went through individual drills this week and did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. He was limited in practice Friday. Coach Wade Phillips said Barber is still experiencing pain, and team trainers wanted to see Barber change direction without any problems.

"They are still working on getting the right shoe and the right splint and the right way to get it fixed," Phillips said.

If Barber can't play, the Cowboys will have no problems starting Tashard Choice. The rookie rushed for 88 yards last week against the Steelers. It is the most yards Pittsburgh's No. 1-ranked run defense has allowed to a runner this season.

Williams to play: Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams did not practice Friday and struggled to move around at times because of his foot injury.

The veteran did not practice all week, but he said he'll be ready by game time.

"I'll be out there - 7:15 in the p.m.," Williams said.

Safety Ken Hamlin (foot) also did not practice for the third straight day, but he's listed as probable on the Cowboys' injury report. Fellow safety Keith Davis hobbled out of the team facility after practice Friday. When asked if he'll be ready Sunday, Davis said, "I hope."

Ladouceur fine: The Cowboys would be in a real jam if long snapper L.P. Ladouceur couldn't play Sunday because of a neck injury. But Ladouceur, who did not practice Thursday, on Friday said he's ready to go."
Link