Marion Barber Ailing From Knee Injury, Questionable Against Vikings

NFL News - January 14th, 2010 - Written by Bryan

The Dallas Cowboys are playing their best football of the season, and at the perfect time. It was readily evident with a rout of Philadelphia in the opening round of the playoffs last week, 34-14 that Dallas was ready to play. In that game, both sides of the ball clicked as the Cowboys dominated on both the offense and defense.

Last weekend's win win came at a price however. Cowboys starting RB Marion Barber suffered a knee injury that limited him to only four yards on three carries against the Eagles.

This week, it is reported that Barber is suffering from a swollen bursa sac in his left knee. Officially listed as questionable for the game Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, Barber is expected to play but will be a game time decision.

Barber led the Cowboys in rushing this season with 932 yards on 214 carries, en route to scoring seven touchdowns.

Barber's backup, Felix Jones, had a breakout game against the Eagles last week, accumulating 148 yards on 16 carries, which included a 73 yard touchdown run. If Barber is unable to go, or limited against Minnesota, Jones will be looking to get the majority of the carries.

Jones and Barber possess vastly different running styles. Barber is a downhill runner who feeds off of contact. Jones on the other hand, is a shifty, more explosive back, that can break a play wide open. Together, the tandem presents a difficult task for any defense. Barber is muscle behind the Cowboys running game, and his presence will be needed to help batter the outstanding Vikings defensive line.

Other injury news and notes on the Dallas sideline includes DE DeMarcus Ware. Nursing a minor back injury,Ware is officially listed as probable for this weekend's Divisional playoff matchup. The other notable injury for the Cowboys is RB Tashard Choice. It was originally thought that Choice may have suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter in the win over the Eagles, but further testing proved that was not the case. Choice is listed as probable this week and will be utilized more if Barber cannot go.

Dallas is a 2 1/2-point underdog against Minnesota on the road this week in the Divisional round of the 2009 NFL Playoffs. The over/under for the match up has been installed at 45 1/2 points.

Coverage of this NFC Divisional playoff game can be seen nationally on FOX beginning at 1 PM EST this Sunday, January 17th. Be sure to keep checking the Dallas Cowboys Injury Report as well as follow the coverage leading up to kickoff, as official statuses of injury players will be released during this time.