--CB Adam Jones returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering a herniated disc against the Steelers. It was feared that it was a season-ending and possibly career-ending injury. But Jones has been cleared to return to the field and will play against the Ravens. "Our initial diagnosis there wasn't that encouraging that he'd get back this quickly," owner Jerry Jones said. "We're really excited about having him; we need him. I don't know that we could have added anything personnel wise that gives a lift like having him in the secondary."

--RB Tashard Choice might start against the Ravens even if a hobbled Marion Barber plays. Choice has been productive and impressive. But he has not been a surprise to the Cowboys. "I will honestly say that he hasn't surprised me a bit," running backs coach Skip Peete said. "I knew he was a good football player. I knew he had the ability to run the ball inside. I knew he had the ability to bounce the ball outside. And the guy has unbelievable vision and a feel for finding a soft crease in the defense. Once he sees it, he can accelerate through it."

--LB DeMarcus Ware has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week following his game against the Giants. He had three sacks, seven tackles, two QB pressures and two forced fumbles. It was Ware's third game of the season with at least three sacks and the fifth of his career.

--LB Greg Ellis has come on of late with two sacks against the Giants and four sacks in the past four games. The Cowboys credit that surge to Ellis being fresher because he is limited to being a pass-rush specialist with Anthony Spencer playing on first and second down. Ellis, however, is introduced before games with the starters because it's important to him, coach Wade Phillips said.

GAME PLAN: It will be a low scoring game. So the Cowboys must run the ball effectively and stop the run. The Cowboys also hope to pressure rookie quarterback Joe Flacco into mistakes. Look for Dallas quarterback Tony Romo to pick his spots and take some shots downfield to wide receivers Terrell Owens and Roy Williams.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Cowboys RBs Marion Barber and Tashard Choice vs. Ravens run defense -- The Cowboys have not been running well. But they need to run in a grind-it-out game against the Ravens, and that will be hard to do. Baltimore has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 33 consecutive games, which is the longest streak in the NFL. The Ravens are ranked third in the league against the run.

Cowboys OLB DeMarcus Ware vs. Ravens QB Joe Flacco: Ware leads the league with 19 sacks. He needs 3.5 more to tie the sack record by former Giants DE Michael Strahan. He had three sacks last week against Eli Manning. Flacco has been sacked just 25 times all season. But the Cowboys are on a roll, sacking Eli Manning eight times last week and totaling 13 sacks in two games. Manning had been sacked just 15 times going into the game.

INJURY IMPACT:

--QB Tony Romo said his back was better Thursday and he threw the ball fine in practice. He doesn't expect to have any problems in Saturday's game.

--RB Marion Barber didn't practice with the dislocated pinky toe. He will be a game-time decision.

--SS Keith Davis was named the team's Ed Bloch courage award winner for playing last season with a torn pectoral muscle.

He could also win this year as he is playing with a sprained knee and has a neck strain, but will not miss Saturday's game against the Ravens.

--FS Ken Hamlin will not practice this week with a sprained foot but he will play against the Ravens Saturday.

--LB Bobby Carpenter is iffy for Saturday's game with a calf strain. He has not practiced all week.