IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys are getting closer to Sunday's important matchup with the Colts, and at least some of their key players are working back into practice.
As expected, quarterback Tony Romo (back) was on the field Thursday after missing practice on Wednesday like he's done most of the year.
On defense, linebacker Rolando McClain (knee) also practiced with the club Thursday after sitting out. McClain has been battling a nagging knee injury for most of the second half of the season. McClain has played in the last four games since he was held out of the Jacksonville game in London.
Like Wednesday, starting offensive linemen Zack Martin (ankle) and Doug Free (ankle) were not on the practice field. Defensive tackle Josh Brent (calf) and linebacker Dekoda Watson (hamstring) also sat out.
Running back DeMarco Murray was on the field for the second straight day, but only the early portion of practice. Head coach Jason Garrett said the plan is for Murray to expand on his workload each day, leading up to Sunday's game with Indy.
Images from Thursday's practice at Valley Ranch.
"We're hopeful he can do a little bit more than he did yesterday," Garrett said in his Thursday press conference. "(Yesterday) he moved around a little bit. He wasn't out there for more than 15 or so minutes and then he worked with the trainers on the side. Today we anticipate him hopefully doing a little bit more, hopefully getting involved in individual and maybe getting some snaps, but we'll see how he feels as the day progresses."
Garrett added that Murray will have a huge input into his playing status.
"I think his feedback is really important and how he's feeling and then how he feels he's holding the ball and doing some of the things that he's really required to do to play in a ball game," Garrett said. "That's where it starts. We have to watch him and sometimes players say, 'I can do this. I can do this,' but really it doesn't look like he can do that. So it's important for us to be honest with ourselves about what his status and that's really what we do with all of our players."
