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Updated: October 21, 2011, 4:04 PM ET
By Todd Archer
ESPNDallas.com
Rookie DeMarco Murray and Tashard Choice will get the opportunity to turn around the Dallas Cowboys' running game as they will share the load Sunday vs. the St. Louis Rams, owner Jerry Jones said Friday.
Starting running back Felix Jones will not play Sunday because of a high left ankle sprain suffered last week at New England.
"We've shown that we've split the carries and, in this circumstance, that's very appropriate since DeMarco is still very early on in his repetitions, his time that he's sorted through the blocking," Jerry Jones said on his weekly radio show on KRLD-FM.
"What happened to us last week is we did get, what I call 'big-boyed' and they really did put a lot of pressure on the interior of our line and when they saw it working they kept it coming and we had to really adjust for that and we got a lot of plays that were behind the line of scrimmage. But I do expect us to adjust for that."
A source indicated Felix Jones, who is in a protective boot, could miss 2-4 weeks and he did not practice at all this week. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick missed three games with a similar injury.
Murray has 71 yards on 24 carries, and Choice has 67 yards on 26 carries. The Cowboys have the NFL's 27th-ranked rushing offense, averaging 84.8 yards per game and have just one rushing touchdown.
Murray missed most of the preseason with a hamstring injury, and Choice was limited as well because of a calf injury.
"Just let them know I'm ready to play," said Choice, who hasn't started a game since his rookie season, when he had 234 yards on 53 carries against Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Philadelphia.
Undrafted rookie Phillip Tanner could also figure into the running game mix.
The backs will run behind a different offensive line with veteran Montrae Holland expected to start at left guard after signing Tuesday. Holland started four games from 2008-10 with the Cowboys.
In other Cowboys news:
Starting right guard Kyle Kosier is playing with a partly torn plantar fascia in his left foot. He said he'll play with a steel plate in the bottom of his left shoe to deal with any discomfort.
Dez Bryant and Kevin Ogletree will share punt return duties vs. the Rams on Sunday. Bryant suffered a thigh bruise on his only return of the season, in Week 1 vs. the New York Jets.
Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (back) practiced Friday for the second day in a row and is expected to play vs. the Rams. He's listed as questionable on the injury report.
Todd Archer covers the Cowboys for ESPNDallas.com. Calvin Watkins and Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com contributed to this report.
Follow Todd Archer on Twitter: @toddarcher
By Todd Archer
ESPNDallas.com
Rookie DeMarco Murray and Tashard Choice will get the opportunity to turn around the Dallas Cowboys' running game as they will share the load Sunday vs. the St. Louis Rams, owner Jerry Jones said Friday.
Starting running back Felix Jones will not play Sunday because of a high left ankle sprain suffered last week at New England.
"We've shown that we've split the carries and, in this circumstance, that's very appropriate since DeMarco is still very early on in his repetitions, his time that he's sorted through the blocking," Jerry Jones said on his weekly radio show on KRLD-FM.
"What happened to us last week is we did get, what I call 'big-boyed' and they really did put a lot of pressure on the interior of our line and when they saw it working they kept it coming and we had to really adjust for that and we got a lot of plays that were behind the line of scrimmage. But I do expect us to adjust for that."
A source indicated Felix Jones, who is in a protective boot, could miss 2-4 weeks and he did not practice at all this week. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick missed three games with a similar injury.
Murray has 71 yards on 24 carries, and Choice has 67 yards on 26 carries. The Cowboys have the NFL's 27th-ranked rushing offense, averaging 84.8 yards per game and have just one rushing touchdown.
Murray missed most of the preseason with a hamstring injury, and Choice was limited as well because of a calf injury.
"Just let them know I'm ready to play," said Choice, who hasn't started a game since his rookie season, when he had 234 yards on 53 carries against Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Philadelphia.
Undrafted rookie Phillip Tanner could also figure into the running game mix.
The backs will run behind a different offensive line with veteran Montrae Holland expected to start at left guard after signing Tuesday. Holland started four games from 2008-10 with the Cowboys.
In other Cowboys news:
Starting right guard Kyle Kosier is playing with a partly torn plantar fascia in his left foot. He said he'll play with a steel plate in the bottom of his left shoe to deal with any discomfort.
Dez Bryant and Kevin Ogletree will share punt return duties vs. the Rams on Sunday. Bryant suffered a thigh bruise on his only return of the season, in Week 1 vs. the New York Jets.
Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (back) practiced Friday for the second day in a row and is expected to play vs. the Rams. He's listed as questionable on the injury report.
Todd Archer covers the Cowboys for ESPNDallas.com. Calvin Watkins and Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com contributed to this report.
Follow Todd Archer on Twitter: @toddarcher
