By Mike Piellucci
FOXSportsSouthwest.com
What has been suspected throughout the week was made official on Friday. Marion Barber is out of Sunday's game at Indianapolis.
The bruising tailback has been diagnosed with a strained left calf that could also keep him out of next week's division clash with the Philadelphia Eagles.
With Barber out, Tashard Choice will see his most significant action of the season alongside starter Felix Jones, and Cowboys coach Jason Garrett says that he has plenty of confidence in Choice's ability to fill in.
"He has a very good feel for running," he said. "He has good vision...and he runs hard."
To bolster depth at running back, the Cowboys elevated Lonyae Miller from the practice squad. Miller will assume Choice's duties on special teams to compensate for Choice taking over Barber's role in the offense.
Linebacker Keith Brooking is the other Cowboy who is a question mark after not practicing on Friday.. Brooking is listed as questionable with a sprained left foot and will likely be replaced by rookie Sean Lee if he can't go on Sunday.
Fortunately for the Cowboys, Brooking's condition appears to be improving. The 35-year-old told The Dallas Morning News Friday that his injury "has improved dramatically from yesterday to today," and that the protective boot he was sporting in the Cowboys locker room was strictly precautionary.
Brooking ultimately will decide on game day whether he's healthy enough to go and if there's any doubt, Garrett knows which way he'll lean.
"With a guy like that he gets the benefit of the doubt," Garrett said. "He's a veteran guy. We'll have those discussions and see how he progresses in the next couple of days."
The rest of this week's injury list looks pretty optimistic for Dallas. Brooking's fellow middle linebacker Bradie James was also held out of Friday's practice with a knee injury, but he is listed as probable for this weekend's game. Receiver Dez Bryant and cornerback Bryan McCann were limited but are also listed as probable for Sunday.
