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IRVING, Texas - Cowboys running back Felix Jones said he will continue wearing a protective knee brace Sunday against the Packers, but he's feeling better each week, now four games removed from the PCL injury he suffered in late September.
"The brace is there to 'protect and serve' me," said Jones, who has practiced without it.
"I feel like it's getting better. It's always getting better. The knee is feeling a lot better when I run. Even though it doesn't really hurt, just the power that I get back."
The Cowboys have noticed Jones' improvement. That's why head coach Wade Phillips said he'd like his explosive second-year back to get more offensive touches. Jones is averaging 7.5 (rushing and receiving) touches in six games.
Phillips said the team has a set number of plays in mind for Jones, but it will depend largely on the flow of the game.
More work on offense will eventually mean less work on special teams, though. Jones has split kickoff return reps in practice with Kevin Ogletree and Tashard Choice this week.
Jones, who is averaging 20.9 yards on 16 returns, said he'd "love" to continue returning kicks.
"Absolutely," he said. "That's another way to create a play and make something happen for your team."
Gurode, Hamlin Probable
Starting center Andre Gurode (sprained knee) and free safety Ken Hamlin (strained groin) went through a full practice for the first time this week and are listed as "probable."
Phillips had said both should be ready for Sunday if they improved throughout the week.
Return specialist Allen Rossum (hamstring) is the only player ruled out. Patrick Crayton will again return punts.
Packers Hurting
The Packers aren't as fortunate on the injury front.
Green Bay won't have two outside linebackers in its new 3-4 defense Sunday. Starter Aaron Kampman, their best pass rusher, will not play because of a concussion. Backup Brady Poppinga (quadriceps) also has been ruled out.
Starting right tackle Mark Tauscher (knee) and tight end Jermichael Finley (knee) also will not play.
Lambeau Leap
Phillips was Atlanta's defensive coordinator in 2003 when the Falcons handed Green Bay its first home playoff loss in franchise history.
He understands how difficult it is to win at Lambeau Field, particularly later in the season. The Cowboys won at Lambeau for the first time ever last year, 27-16.
This year the Packers are desperate, knowing a loss would drop them to 4-5 and further down in the NFC playoff race.
"If you can win at Green Bay on the road, that's a big victory to me," Phillips said. "Besides the other things involved, which we know are standings and NFC teams and so forth, this is a tough road game that if we could win it I think it'd be a real important one for us."
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Rob Phillips - 
