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IRVING, Texas - Although it's been widely assumed Marion Barber would play Sunday with a dislocated little toe, the Cowboys' Pro Bowl running back missed his third straight practice Thursday and head coach Wade Phillips said, "it's a little more doubtful right now" that he will be ready.
The Cowboys will see how Barber's toe feels Friday and decide whether he can participate in practice. Either way, there's a chance he could be a game-time decision against the Steelers.
"Those game-time decisions, we take a player out before the game and see what he can do and make a decision there," Phillips said. "It may run all the way until then. I don't know. Everybody felt good that he would be able to go, but he hasn't been able to go yet. We'll just see."
Barber's absence has meant more reps for practice squad running back Alonzo Coleman, and the Cowboys likely will sign him to the 53-man roster if they decide to add another back. Rookie Tashard Choice would presumably start if Barber can't play, since fellow rookie Felix Jones will miss the rest of the season following toe surgery.
When asked Thursday about signing a third running back for depth, Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said, "I think we might. Coleman would be it."
Phillips said the Cowboys' training staff has experimented with different support methods for Barber's toe this week. The team decided to give him a full day of rest on Thursday.
"Barber, we've got to get him (toe) support in there," Jones said. "He didn't get to do much work today. Just did a lot of rehab. But I feel good about it."
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Rob Phillips - 
