OTHER RECENT NEWS • Off-Season Program Begins Tuesday For Injured Rookies  2/8 • Rob Phillips: Saints' Rise Should Lend Some Perspective  2/8 • Mailbag: Monday, February 8, 2010 • As Expected, Smith Gets First-Ballot Hall of Fame Call  2/7 • Spagnola: Payton's Aggressive Nature Has Super Results  2/7 • A Look Back At Emmitt's Hall of Fame Career  2/7 • Notes: Committee Denies Haley For HOF Once Again  2/6 • What Great RBs - Past & Present Are Saying About Smith  2/6 • Haley Has Strong Canton Credentials  2/5 • Barry Sanders On Emmitt's Legacy, Records & Felix  2/5

IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys are traveling to Pittsburgh for arguably the biggest game of the season, but will have to do so without their workhorse running back.

Marion Barber, after not practicing all week with a dislocated little toe on his right foot, will not make the trip this weekend. Barber is out for Sunday's game, meaning rookie Tashard Choice will handle the starting duties and newly-signed Alonzo Coleman will likely play as the No. 2 back.

Coleman has spent the last two years on the Cowboys' practice squad, but has never played in an NFL game. He was signed on Friday to the 53-man roster, replacing Quincy Butler, who was released.

Choice, a fourth-round pick from Georgia Tech, rushed for a career-high 57 yards in the Thanksgiving Day win over the Seahawks.

Barber suffered the injury in the first half last week against the Seahawks and tried to return in the second half, but left the game again after only one play.

The Cowboys were optimistic about Barber's chances of playing, with head coach Wade Phillips stating all week that his starting back could possibly play, despite missing all week of practice.

Instead, the Cowboys apparently have decided, after a meeting with the training staff after Saturday's walk-thru, to leave Barber behind.

As for linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who was also injured in last week's win over Seattle, he is on the charter and is expected to play despite hyper-extending his left knee. Ware practiced in full participation on Friday and is expected to start. He currently leads the NFL with 15 sacks.

Home | Email | Print | Register for New Alerts | RSS