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IRVING, Texas - Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware declared himself "full blast," then practiced Thursday for the first time since hyper-extending his left knee in the Thanksgiving win over Seattle.
The Cowboys have been optimistic all along that Ware would make his 61st consecutive start Sunday against the Steelers, and his participation Thursday is a positive sign he'll be ready to play.
Ware officially had limited participation in practice, but head coach Wade Phillips said he took most of the reps.
"The knee that got tweaked feels better than the knee that didn't get tweaked," Ware said before practice. "They've been treating me really well and I've recovered well."
Ware wore a protective brace in Thursday's workout and said he would keep it on Sunday. But he's not concerned about Heinz Field's notoriously sloppy playing surface.
Ware has an NFL-best 15.0 sacks and needs 7 ½ in the final four games to reach Michael Strahan's single-season NFL record of 22 ½. But more important, a healthy Ware is vital to a Cowboys' pass rush that has produced 18 sacks in the last four games.
"You've got to keep that out of your mind," Ware said of the sack record. "It's all about really just being consistent, and that's what I told myself at the beginning of the season. I've been doing that and been doing really well with that philosophy. So I'm just going to keep on rolling.
"It's in reach. Once I get there, then we can talk about it."
Kick Returns For Pacman
Cornerback Adam Jones is expected to be a dual return threat for the first time as a Cowboy on Sunday.
Phillips indicated that Jones, who's already slated for punt-return duty, also would return kickoffs against the Steelers in his first game back from a six-game NFL suspension. The Cowboys have rotated kickoff returners all season because of injuries to Felix Jones (injured reserve; toe surgery) and Miles Austin (sprained knee).
Wide receiver Isaiah Stanback has handled kickoff returns the last two games and had a 58-yard return on Thanksgiving Day. Phillips suggested both Adam Jones and Stanback could be used Sunday, though there's a chance the team's injury situation will prevent Stanback from being active even though the Cowboys have only three other healthy receivers.
Jones averaged 26.2 yards on 43 returns with the Tennessee Titans. In six games this season prior to his suspension, he averaged 5.0 yards on 16 punt returns.
Watkins Disappointed
Cowboys safety Pat Watkins doesn't believe the recurring neck stinger that ended his season will be a chronic problem, but he's disappointed he won't be able to help his team down the stretch.
"From what I was told, it should be all right," said Watkins, who was placed on injured reserve Tuesday. "They said I need rest and rehab.
"I was hoping it was going to calm down. It was one of those things that it kept getting hit on."
Watkins, a third-year veteran, had been playing in substitute defensive packages. He also has been one of the Cowboys' most productive special teams players.
Holiday Cheer
Each year during the holiday season the Cowboys' players, coaches and front office staff take part in The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program, which represents Christmas needs and wishes of needy children, seniors and disabled adults.
On Thursday, the Cowboys' rookies loaded a Salvation Army truck with the hundreds of Angel gifts purchased by members of the organization.
The Salvation Army Angel Tree program has brought joy to thousands of needy children, seniors, and disabled adults during the holiday season. The program is designed to meet the needs of those who otherwise would not have a Christmas.
Short Shots
The Cowboys will have to fill two practice squad spots if they sign running back Alonzo Coleman to their 53-man roster this week. Practice squad linebacker Tearrius George was signed to the Saints' 53-man roster on Thursday. He'll replace safety Kevin Kaesviharn, who was moved to injured reserve with a neck stinger . . . Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had full participation Thursday after leaving Wednesday's practice with a tweaked knee. Running back Willie Parker (knee, shoulder) also returned to practice. Safety Troy Polamalu sat out again with a calf injury.
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Rob Phillips - 
