Cowboys Corner

Colombo glad to be locked up

The Cowboys made a commitment to right tackle Marc Colombo on Wednesday, as he signed a big Christmas Eve gift with a four-year, $22 million contract.

Colombo, who signed through 2012, has resurrected his career in Dallas after battling injuries with Chicago and has become a consistent player. The Cowboys were going to extend him once he proved himself and he has done it.

"I am just excited to be able to stay here with my teammates," Colombo said. "It is a relief to have this finished and now I can focus completely on football. This is a place I love. This is where I got my second chance."

Colombo agreed to the contract a few weeks back, but some contact language was still being workout out.

- Rick Herrin

Romo feeling like $100

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo returned to Valley Ranch on Christmas Day a lot better after battling an illness on Wednesday.

Romo is expected to practice later this afternoon after missing Wednesday's workout. Romo walked through the halls to his quarterbacks meeting carrying a Gatorade (might be having dehydration issues) and was asked if he was feeling better.

"Oh yeah," Romo said. "I feel like 100 dollars."

Romo was battling flu-like symptoms and was sent home by the team with medicine on Thursday.

UPDATE: Romo had full participation in practice.

- Rick Herrin

Why Holmgren won't coach in 2009

Peter King of SI.com and NBC's "Football Night in America" reports that the Dallas Cowboys could be one of the teams giving departing Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren a call about working in the front office or as a consultant.

Here's why Holmgren is stepping aside from coaching.

Why Romo missing practice is not a big deal

Because Wade Phillips said the majority of the game plan was implemented on Tuesday, when Tony Romo did practice. But Wednesday he was out with what sounded like a nasty stomach bug (won't give you the details of what Wade said was happening to Romo's sick body).

Romo has Thursday and Friday to get his timing and sharpness back with his receivers before the team departs for Philly on Saturday. The Cowboys sent Romo home with some medicine and hope for a speedy return to Valley Ranch on Christmas Day.

- Rick Herrin

Barber gets some work

For the first time in more than a week, running back Marion Barber was able to practice Wednesday. It was only a limited amount, but Barber did get to test his dislocated right pinkie toe. Barber missed practice all of last week.

Barber just can't shake the soreness in the toe, which has become troublesome to manage. He is expected to be a game-time decision for the third consecutive week and don't expect him to have much of an impact. He pulled himself out after one series last week because of the pain and inability to cut. The running game is all about Tashard Choice now. And that's not a bad thing for the Cowboys right now.

- Rick Herrin

Romo misses practice

Quarterback Tony Romo missed practice Wednesday with an illness. Brad Johnson worked with the first team offense. Also, running back Marion Barber was dressed out for practice.

No word on Witten

Since its only Tuesday, the Cowboys don't have to produce an official report on practice. So we don't the extent of tight end Jason Witten's practice participation on Tuesday.

Witten was dressed for practice but did not catches passes during the media's availability and only stretched on the side. Witten has been bothered by an assortment of injuries but continues to prove he's the toughest guy on the team along with safety Keith Davis.

Witten re-aggravated an ankle injury against Baltimore on Sunday.

- Rick Herrin

Wade second guesses himself on Barber

Cowboys running back Marion Barber continues to deal with trying to manage the pain in his dislocated right little toe. He has re-aggravated it coming back the past two weeks against New York Giants and Baltimore. 

Wade Phillips second-guessed himself Tuesday and said maybe the Cowboys should have held him out the past two games. If they would have done this, Phillips thinks Barber might have been healthy for the Eagles regular season finale. Barber missed practice on Tuesday.

"A dislocation, it can get well," Phillips said. "Maybe we shouldn't have played him at all and maybe he'd be well now."

Luckily for the Cowboys, rookie Tashard Choice has been a big-time producer in the backfield and eased the pain of Barber's ineffectiveness. Choice has rushed for 88, 91 and 90 yards in consecutive weeks and started twice.

In the past two games, Barber has been a game-time decision and warmed up well only to pull himself out once he saw some action. The trouble has been pain and cutting. He has 10 carries for two yards combined against the Giants and Ravens.

Barber had two carries and one catch during the final Cowboys possession in the first quarter against the Ravens. It was the only series he played in the game before he pulled himself. He will likely be a game-time decision again on Sunday.

- Rick Herrin

Barber still out

Running back Marion Barber did not practice today. He remains out with a dislocated right little toe and might not regain full strength the rest of the season. Barber has been ineffective since injuring the toe on Thanksgiving Day and had just two carries for 0 yards against Baltimore.

Left guard Montrae Holland was also out with a sprained ankle and is not expected to play Sunday against the Eagles. Cory Procter will continue to be his replacement.

Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten was dressed out for practice but only stretched on the side during the media's availability. Wade Phillips is unsure how effective Witten can be for Sunday. Witten is dealing with an ankle injury that was reaggravated in the loss to Baltimore.

Safety Ken Hamlin (foot) was back at practice, as was fellow safety Keith Davis (shoulder). Linebacker and special teamer Bobby Carpenter (who missed last week's game with knee injury) returned. Cornerback Alan Ball (hamstring) and receiver Roy Williams (foot) also practiced.

- Rick Herrin

Injury Update

Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said the team's injury status remains pretty much status quo:

TE Jason Witten continues to battle a sprained ankle, or at least that's all we know of.
RB Marion Barber played against the Ravens on Saturday but Phillips said Barber was unable to go all out. Expect Barber to play against the Eagles, but Choice to again to the majority of work.
OG Montrae Holland probably won't play again until the playoffs.

Phillips said QB Tony Romo's back loosened up as the game against the Ravens wore on.

- Mac Engel