DeMarco Murray on practice field, Less than 48 hours after undergoing surgery to repair a broken left hand, Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray was on the practice field Wednesday, taking part in individual drills.
Coach Jason Garrett said he did not expect Murray to do a lot during practice. During on-air team drills, Joseph Randle took the first-team snaps at running back.The Cowboys have not ruled Murray out for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts, but Garrett said they would have to see him work in practice to make sure he can carry the ball under duress. Murray was wearing a pad on the top of his left hand during the portion of practice that was open to the media and took several handoffs from backup quarterback Brandon Weeden.
"I think we need to see something where there's a comfort level we all have and certainly a comfort level that he has," Garrett said. "Carrying the football is an important responsibility. You have to be able to do it. I think we all want to see it. I know he wants to see it, so we'll take it day by day and see how it progresses."
The Cowboys have tinkered with different ways to protect Murray's hand in case he does play. Emmitt Smith and Terrell Owens had similar surgeries while with the Cowboys and needed a week to recover before playing. Owens did not miss a game in 2006 because the Cowboys had a bye week.
"You start with a plan and a vision for what you need to have there, and then you just go through feedback, with DeMarco and the training staff, you try to get it to the point where it's functional and comfortable for him to go play," Garrett said of the added protection. "It's an evolution. They'll talk back and forth as the week goes on, hopefully get something he's comfortable with."
The Cowboys are without three offensive starters at practice with quarterback Tony Romo following his customary Wednesday schedule. Right tackle Doug Free and right guard Zack Martin are not practicing because of ankle injuries.
On defense, linebacker Rolando McClain is not practicing. He has been troubled by a knee injury for most of the past two months. Defensive tackle Josh Brent (calf) and linebacker Dekoda Watson (hamstring) also are not practicing.
