Cowboys expect Barber, Ware to play hurt
Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber and linebacker DeMarcus Ware joined the injury list Wednesday, but should play this weekend against Atlanta. Barber has a fractured left thumb that he thought he just jammed against Kansas City before the bye week. An X-ray revealed the break. Ware has a stress fracture in his left foot. Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said he expects both to start Sunday at home against the Falcons. He said the right-handed Barber didn't appear to have trouble carrying the ball or catching it in practice Wednesday. Phillips said Ware had been complaining about soreness in his foot for a couple of weeks, and an MRI revealed the stress fracture. Last year's NFL sack leader had his first two sacks of this season against the Chiefs. "His foot was sore and he played the last game OK," Phillips said. "He's been playing well. It's not a major injury. It's one that he can play with." All 10 players on the latest injury list, the first the Cowboys have had to release since before the Kansas City game, fully participated in practice Wednesday. That included receiver Roy Williams (ribs), running back Felix Jones (strained left knee) and safety Gerald Sensabaugh (right thumb). All three missed the Kansas City game, but are expected to play against Atlanta. Jones, who has missed two games, wore a brace in practice and might wear one in a game for the first time. Phillips said the protection didn't appear to slow down Jones, who had 190 yards rushing in the last two games he played. The others hurt but practicing were offensive linemen Marc Colombo (ankle), Leonard Davis (thumb) and Andre Gurode (knee); safety Michael Hamlin (wrist); and linebacker Curtis Johnson (hamstring).