As if the running game wasn't hurting already, but the loss of running back Felix Jones for at least a game or two, is yet another blow for the Cowboys' offense.
Jones suffered the injury against the Patriots on Sunday and missed the entire second half. He was in a walking boot on Monday at Valley Ranch and it's uncertain just how long he will be out.
Coach Jason Garrett didn't have specifics to Jones' timetable for a return.
"We'll evaluate Felix day to day, but sometimes those are hard to get your arms around initially," Garrett said of this injury. "It's described as a high ankle sprain but we don't know the extent of it."
What Garrett does know is that it'll open the door for players such as DeMarco Murray, who had a career-high 10 rushing attempts on Sunday against the Patriots, for just 32 yards. Still, Garrett said he can see improvement in Murray.
"I thought it was encouraging to see what he did as a runner and receiver. I think he'll get more and more comfortable in our offense," Garrett said of Murray, who was slowed in training camp with a hamstring injury. "He missed a lot of time in the preseason and add that to the time he missed because of the lockout. He's been behind. For him to integrate himself into the offense in the first month of the season and to get the opportunity he had yesterday, I think it was a positive thing. You want to give him more opportunities."
Murray could end up replacing Jones this week as the starting tailback, with Tashard Choice remaining the team's third-down and goal-line back. Choice had five carries for 14 yards and a lost fumble on Sunday.
Rookie Phillip Tanner might also have a bigger role in the offense. The undrafted free agent from Middle Tennessee State has been active the last few weeks, but only on special teams.
