Ed Barkowitz: Cowboys' Jones has a chance to make a big impact

THIS IS a big week for Felix Jones, no matter what he says.

The Cowboys running back has become a Matt Stairs-like pinch-hitter, but is getting a chance to be the primary back Sunday at Carolina while DeMarco Murray hangs back on the Cowboys ranch.

"We feel really good about Felix Jones," coach Jason Garrett said. "[He's] been a really good football player for us for the last 4 years."

When Murray went out with a sprained left foot against the Ravens, Jones came off the bench and ran for 92 yards, including a 22-yard score.

Jones, a former first-round pick, was a running mate of Marion Barber's for his first three NFL seasons and was penciled in as the Cowboys starter entering 2011. He had 115 yards against the Redskins in Week 3, but a sprained ankle forced him to the sideline in mid-October. Jones could only watch when Murray ran for 253 yards against the Rams. Then Murray got hurt, and Jones came back in and ran for 100-plus yards against Tampa Bay.

"When DeMarco got hurt last year, we handed the ball to Felix, and Felix has shown that he can run inside and run outside," said Garrett, who also mentioned that backup Phillip Tanner can expect some carries.

A matchup against Carolina's 23rd-ranked run defense gives Jones a chance to help his Cowboys teammates this week, but also could pay ancillary dividends.

If Jones shows some explosiveness and durability, it could only help him when his contract expires at season's end.

"I'm just focused on today. Focused on getting ready for the Carolina Panthers," he said. "I can't look too far ahead, because I'll lose focus of what's going on right now."

Triviality

Reggie Wayne has caught a touchdown pass from seven different players, which ties the Colts' franchise record. One of those players was running back Joseph Addai. The six others were quarterbacks. Name them.

Around the league

Dallas wide receiver Dez Bryant did not practice Friday and is listed as questionable with a groin injury. The only good thing is that the Cowboys play at 1 o'clock, so if he is a late scratch, there will be time to make a move.

Not sure what sort of contribution to expect from Jerome Simpson, but the Vikings wide receiver will start Sunday. Simpson missed the first 3 weeks because of a suspension and last week's game because of a back injury. He had a total of four catches (on eight targets) on the two games he did play. Simpson is only worth monitoring for now.

Cleveland's Trent Richardson is a strong RB2 this week against a Colts defense that has given up a league-worst eight rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs. Indy is so shaky, it managed to make the Jets' Shonn Greene (161 yards, three TDs) look like Curtis Martin . . . Greene gets the Patriots this week. He's no more than a flex.

Owners of the 49ers defense/special teams who did not stay up to watch the final seconds of Thursday night's game are probably better off. Seattle's last play was a pass completion for 16 yards on fourth-and-17. During the play, the Seahawks were flagged for an illegal block in the end zone that would have resulted in a safety. But since they failed to convert the 4th-and-17, San Fran declined the penalty. Safeties in fantasy are generally monstrous points. Can't imagine too many teams have ever declined a penalty on a play that resulted in a safety. The extra two points also impacted the eight-point point spread, as the Niners won the game, 13-6.

Adds and drops

The five most added and dropped players of the week, according to CBSSports.com:

Most added

1. Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys

2. Josh Gordon, WR, Browns

3. Montario Hardesty, RB, Browns

4. Daryl Richardson, RB, Rams

5. Browns defense/special teams

Most dropped

1. Kevin Kolb, QB, Cardinals

2. Matt Prater, K, Broncos

3. Dolphins defense/special teams

4. Jackie Battle, RB, Chargers

5. Jahvid Best, RB, Lions

Chat me up

Q: Which defense would you keep for the rest of the year, Baltimore or New York Jets?

A: The Jets. They have an easier schedule down the line, especially in fantasy playoffs. The Ravens, who are wracked with injuries, have games against RGIII, Eli and Peyton Manning late in the season.

Q: Stafford at Bears or Cutler vs. Lions?

A: Cutler, who is coming off the bye and playing at home.

Answer, please

In addition to Joseph Addai, the six Colts quarterbacks to throw a touchdown pass are Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning, Kerry Collins, Jim Sorgi, Dan Orlovsky and Curtis Painter.

Fantasy football columns appear each Friday and in SportsWeek during the season, and a weekly chat takes place on philly.com each Thursday at noon. For a transcript of this week's discussion, visit philly.com/FantasyIsland.