Dallas Cowboys star running back Marion Barber will not play against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday.

Barber suffered a dislocated pinkie toe in the team's Thanksgiving Day win over the Seattle Seahawks and has not practiced since.

Barber did not make the trip to Pittsburgh.

Rookie Tashard Choice will get his first NFL start in place of Barber. Earlier in the week the Cowboys promoted running back Alonzo Coleman from the practice squad.

Choice, a fourth-round draft pick in April from Georgia Tech, is starting because first-round pick Felix Jones is out for the season with a torn ligament in his left big toe.

The Steelers (9-3) lead the NFL in rushing defense with 71.2 yards per game average, the lowest by any team since the 1970 NFL merger, and have not allowed an opposing back to gain even 80 yards.

The Cowboys (8-4) are in a tough battle for one of two NFC Wild Card playoff spots.

2 Comments

Erin said:

Fingers and toes seem to be the thorn in the side this season. What is the deal with toes? They're completely covered. Do we need new shoes that provide better protection for our boys' piggies, or what?

December 7, 2008 10:10 AM

Roberta said:

I just want to say first I hope Barber recovers soon, I know what its like to hurt your small toe, it hurts!! And, one more thing, this has nothing to do with Barber, but this is for Troy Aikman, FORMER COWBOY, SHUT UP, TROY!!! It always sounds like you are for the other team when you are making calls on tv, so SHUT UP!!

December 7, 2008 4:49 PM

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