Dallas Cowboys starting RB DeMarco Murray sprained his MCL in the Cowboys Week 6 victory over the rival Washington Redskins, and he thus missed last week’s victory over another rival team in the Philadelphia Eagles. Normally running backs with MCL sprains don’t play for a few weeks, but it looks like Murray will be back this week. He was able to get some work in yesterday, and ESPN Dallas’s Calvin Watkins reports that the Cowboys feature back is practicing again today.

Watkins stated earlier today that he expects DeMarco Murray to suit up and play this week against the Detroit Lions, and he isn’t the only beat writer who believes that the Cowboys will be getting Murray back this week. Additionally, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said recently that he hopes to have Murray back, and it looks like he will make his return from the knee injury after missing just one week. Fantasy owners should slot the injury-prone Oklahoma product into their lineups.

Meanwhile, Dallas Cowboys star defensive end DeMarcus Ware is not expected to play this week, because the Cowboys have realized that it is best to be as cautious as possible with their best player on defense. Ware is extremely important to this team, and the Cowboys playoff chances would honestly be cut a bit if Ware were to suffer a setback. He injured his quadriceps in Week 6 and is expected to miss a couple of weeks from that date, but Ware actually tried to return to the field last week.

He was obviously unsuccessful in that endeavor, but it is a testament to Ware’s incredible toughness and determination that he tried to come back at that time. Now, it looks like he won’t play until an easy Week 9 contest against the Minnesota Vikings, and allowing him to rest is all for the best. Owner Jerry Jones also said on his radio show that the Cowboys will be cautious with bringing Ware forward, especially due to the threat of a setback. The Cowboys already lost Anthony Spencer for the season this year, so they have to be especially careful with Ware.

Watkins reports that DeMarcus Ware did not practice today.

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