DeMarco Murray active vs. Colts

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Cowboys star running back DeMarco Murray is active for Sunday's game against the Colts, six days after undergoing surgery for a broken left hand.

Murray, the NFL's leading rusher, was questionable coming into the game after going through two limited practices on Thursday and Friday. But the running back and the Cowboys were always optimistic he would be able to play.

He will wear a hard plastic shell on the top of his left hand for added protection.

Murray suffered the injury late in last week's win against the Eagles. On Monday he was diagnosed with a fractured fourth metacarpal and had surgery that night. He did not practice Wednesday but he did catch some passes and take some handoffs.

In 1999 and 2006, Emmitt Smith and Terrell Owens had similar surgeries while with the Cowboys and needed a week to recover. Owens did not miss a game because the Cowboys had their bye week after he had the surgery.

Even though he is active, the Cowboys will closely monitor how Murray uses his left hand and will use backups Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar more than they have during the season. They have combined for 60 carries on the season; Murray recorded 63 in the Cowboys' last two games.