DeMarco Murray to wear protective padding, not cast, if he plays

If Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray plays less than a week after undergoing surgery, it will be with protective padding on his left hand, not a cast, reports the Dallas Morning News. Murray went through individual drills Wednesday wearing a glove enforced with a hard plastic shell.

"I think we need to see something where there’s a comfort level we all have and certainly a comfort level that he has," coach Jason Garrett told the paper. "Carrying the football is an important responsibility. You have to be able to do it."

Dallas is a 3-point home favorite over the Colts on Sunday. If Murray can't play, Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar will share backfield duties.

Randle is averaging 7.0 yards per carry and would be the favorite to start, but he hasn't gotten more than two carries in a game since Week 10. Dunbar is a better receiver than Randle and would handle most of the passing downs.

Murray underwent surgery Monday, one day after breaking a bone in his left hand. He leads the NFL with 351 carries for 1,687 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.