Cowboys' Jones misses practice again

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

IRVING, Texas -- Cowboys running back Felix Jones sat out of practice again Wednesday because of hamstring tightness.

While Jones worked on the side during practice, he wasn't involved in any work on the field with the rest of the team for the second day in a row.

"It seems like he's getting better," said coach Jason Garrett, adding that Jones had been in all offensive meetings. "We just felt it was the right thing to do today to not practise, and obviously keep him engaged with our team and hopefully he'll get some work here in the next couple of days."

NFC East-leading Dallas (8-6) plays its home finale Saturday against Philadelphia (6-8).

Executive vice-president Stephen Jones expressed confidence that Felix Jones will play and said the Cowboys are being cautious because they are so thin at running back.

"I'm planning on him. I'm hoping to see what he can do either today, tomorrow," running backs coach Skip Peete said. "At the end of the week, obviously we've got to be able to see him be able to do some things to make a decision on whether or not he can play in the game or not."

Linebacker DeMarcus Ware (stinger) and nose tackle Jay Ratliff (rib muscle) were back on the field Wednesday, but still limited. Both defensive starters had missed Tuesday's workouts.

Jones is coming off consecutive 100-yard rushing games for the first time in his four NFL seasons. He matched a career high with 22 carries at Tampa Bay, where he ran for 108 yards.

Garrett hasn't said which hamstring is bothering Jones, or when it started hurting. The running back again wasn't in the locker room when it was open to reporters.

Rookie running backs DeMarco Murray, the team's leading rusher with 897 yards, and Phillip Tanner are already on injured reserve. That leaves Sammy Morris, a 12-year veteran who made his season debut at Tampa Bay after signing with Dallas last week, and Chauncey Washington, signed to the practice squad Nov. 30.

Morris and Washington again split time at practice Wednesday.

Jones already missed four games this season because of a left ankle sprain. When Murray broke his right ankle in the first quarter against the New York Giants two weeks ago, Jones took over as the primary back and ran 16 times for 106 yards. He followed that with the 108 yards against Tampa Bay.