Texas NFL Capsules: Cowboys hopeful Barber can join Ware on field

ARLINGTON - Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware returned to action in a limited capacity Thursday, while running back Marion Barber missed practice again.

Owner Jerry Jones, however, anticipates both injured players being ready for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh.

"I do, yes I do," Jones said. "DeMarcus got a lot of work today, relatively speaking. Marion didn't, but Barber, we've got to get him supported there. ... But I feel good about it."

Jones hopes that Barber, who has a dislocated right pinkie toe, will practice Friday.

But coach Wade Phillips, in his daily briefing with reporters, expressed some doubt about Barber being able to play after he missed another practice.

"Everybody felt sure that he will be able to go, but he hasn't been able to go yet," Phillips said. "Obviously, I feel better about DeMarcus and not as good about Marion."

Jones indicated that the Cowboys might promote Alonzo Coleman from the practice squad to add depth at running back. With Felix Jones already out for the season, the only other running back currently behind Barber is rookie Tashard Choice.

"Coleman will be it, and he's practiced good this week," Jones said.

Ware and Barber were both hurt Thanksgiving Day in the Cowboys' 34-9 victory over Seattle.

In the locker room before practice Thursday, NFL sacks leader Ware had said he was feeling better since he sustained a hyperextended left knee.

"Everything's been going well," Ware said. "They've been treating me real well, and I've recovered well."

Ware was already sporting a brace on his knee and said he would wear it in the game. He said he planned to go full speed.

"I won't even be out there if I'm not full blast, because that's the way I play," Ware said. "I'm just excited to just be able to go out and play. ... Just to be out there, I'm excited."

Barber will need some kind of protection in his shoe to stabilize his injured toe.

Jones, speaking before a topping-out ceremony at the new Cowboys stadium, said he had no problem with Phillips' decision Wednesday to give veteran players Terrell Owens, Greg Ellis, Flozell Adams, Zach Thomas and Marc Colombo a break from practice - even after the team had been off four of the previous five days.

"No, not at all. I understand and respect 32 years in the NFL with Wade, his sense of resting players and having them use their legs in the game," Jones said. "We've got a month of regular season and then hopefully the playoffs, and we want to keep these veteran players as fresh as we can. ... I don't have a problem with it at all."

One player needing every practice possible is cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, who will play for the first time Sunday after a six-game NFL suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

The owner said Adam Jones is in good shape and "doing well in practice." The cornerback is expected to be involved in kick returns and all defensive packages, maybe even as a starter.

Jerry Jones took part in placing the last beam at the top of the $1 billion-plus facility the Cowboys will move into next season. Construction is scheduled to be completed by June 1.

Among former players attending the ceremony were NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Tony Dorsett, Rayfield Wright and Cliff Harris.

"It's absolutely unbelievable how big and how beautiful it is," said Smith, who was inside the new stadium for the first time.

Texans to make first trip to Green Bay

HOUSTON - The Houston Texans' first trip to Green Bay, where temperatures are expected to be in the teens, could be a shock for this warm weather team from a city where a coat is rarely needed.

Coach Gary Kubiak said there's no way to prepare for it, especially with temperatures in the 70s earlier this week in Houston. However, he believes Houston's trip to Cleveland a couple of weeks ago when it was about 30 degrees gave them an inkling of what they'll face Sunday.

"Cold is cold, we're going to have to go down there and function, protect the football and do a good job," Kubiak said.

Andre Johnson, who is from Miami and has played his entire career in Houston, isn't looking forward to playing in such harsh conditions. He said he'll decide on game day whether to wear long sleeves, but that keeping his hands warm will be a priority.

"That's the most important thing, I think, just keeping your hands warm," he said. "Because if your hands get cold, the ball kind of feels like a brick when it hits your hands. Sometimes, it hurts your hands when it hits them, from your hands being cold. You just try to keep your hands as warm as you can so when the ball touches them, it doesn't feel as heavy."

Fellow receiver Kevin Walter, who grew up in Illinois and went to Eastern Michigan, is accustomed to the cold weather.

"I'm from the North, so I love the cold weather," Walter said. "I'd rather it be 18 degrees than 90 degrees, to tell you the truth. You can breathe easier out there. You can fly around and you don't get tired. So I'm looking forward to it."

Walter is definitely in the minority on this team filled with Southerners. Most of the players shared the feelings of offensive tackle Eric Winston, who is dreading the weather.

"There's nothing fun about playing in the cold weather," he said. "Fifties is nice, 40s is OK, down there after that, it's awful."

SUPER SLATON

Rookie Steve Slaton is on pace to become Houston's first 1,000 yard rusher since Domanick Williams (formerly Davis) ran for 1,188 yards in 2004.

The former West Virginia standout has 904 yards rushing with four games to go.

Slaton, who was named AFC player of the week, had perhaps his best game of the season on Monday against the Jaguars. He had 130 yards rushing with two touchdowns and added two catches for 52 yards in the win.

The third-round pick was expected to be a third-down back but gained the starting job after an injury to Ahman Green and kept it with his strong play. He's getting even more work now that Green is out for the season with a knee injury.

"He's a young kid who has been starting out for 12 weeks and that's really something in this league the way he's held up and kept his load," Kubiak said. "He's a joy to be around. I know the team's really rooting for him. He's on his way to a great year. Hopefully, he finishes that way."

Slaton said he's gaining confidence each week.

"You get a little more adjusted as the season is coming down," he said. "It's definitely getting easier as the weeks go by."

Houston's offensive line is very protective of Slaton and is proud of his accomplishments so far.

"I was really happy to see that he was over 100 and closing in on 1,000," Winston said. "He's doing great. He really is. He's done everything I think the coaches have asked of him. He's been a great guy to block for. He's a tough guy. He loves to get the rock all of the time and he's been carrying it well."

FILLING IN

Clark Harris is set to play in his first NFL game this weekend when he takes over long snapping duties for the Houston Texans.

Harris is filling in for Bryan Pittman, who was suspended by the league for the next four games for violating the league's anti-doping policy. The Texans have been training Harris for the last month after Pittman was implicated in the investigation.

He was signed to the active roster from the practice squad on Wednesday.

Though he hasn't played in the NFL, Harris has plenty of experience with the job.

"I've been doing it for years," Harris said. "I've been doing it since high school. I'm just going to go out there and do what I've been doing. I'm not going to think too much about it. The snapping position is a big mental position. You've just got to know that you can do it and go out there and do what you've been coached and do what you've been programmed to do."

Harris said he's worked extensively with punter/holder Matt Turk and that he's helped a lot.

"There's several differences between college and now, but I've talked to him and we've sat down and talked and got a feel for each," Harris said. "We're going to keep working throughout the week to get the timing and everything down perfect so come Sunday, it's just like practice."

-- Kristie Rieken