Jones clears air over Barber comments

Dec 10, 2008 - 8:22 PM SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has backtracked on comments in which he questioned the "toughness" of running back Marion Barber.

Jones was critical of Barber after the running back sat out Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with a dislocated toe on his right foot.

"We all know how tough Marion Barber," Jones told WOAI radio in San Antonio. "When he had his injury, I felt, look you'd have to shoot him to keep him off the football field. So, I was surprised that we didn't have him. That was not meant to be critical of his toughness."

Jones had a much different tone following Sunday's game against Pittsburgh, which dropped the Cowboys to 8-5 on the season.

"He can play with that injured toe," Jones said. "He can play with the soreness, combination of those things. I see nothing that would have led us to believe he couldn't."

A bruising back, Barber has rushed for 870 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Cowboys hope to have him back for this week's home game against the archrival New York Giants (11-2).