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According to observers, Antonio Bryant (torn quadriceps muscle) practiced Tuesday and Wednesday and is expected to play Sunday, but head coach Bill Parcells said after Wednesday's practice that the second-year receiver will not start.

However, the news on offensive lineman Larry Allen, who suffered a hamstring injury in Tuesday's practice, isn't as positive. Allen is now listed as questionable for Sunday's season opener against Atlanta.

As Dallas Morning News staffer Todd Archer noted this morning, Allen's absence would hurt the Cowboys' ability to run the ball against the Falcons. Parcells was pleased with the play of the line as the preseason wore on, especially against Oakland in the finale when Troy Hambrick rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.

This after Parcells told the offense it was going to run the ball until "they make us throw it" before the Cowboys' final preseason game.

Look for that strategy to continue forward into the regular season.

"Like I told them, this running the football is something that is a long-term deal. You've just got to be committed to it and go with it," Parcells said. "There are going to be some days where it is pretty sticky for the run. I know that."

And while Parcells said he has seen signs of improvement from his running game, he admitted coaches never know what their team has or what it is going to be good at until they start playing games. ...

Also of interest. ...

In an article published Wednesday, Fort Worth Star-Telegram staff writer Jennifer Floyd Engel, Parcells will handle play-calling duties this fall.

"Yeah, I would say so," Parcells admitted. "I've been doing it."

Parcells said he called "pretty much 100 percent" of the plays in the against Oakland in the wildly successful preseason finale. He estimates he called probably three-fourths of the plays in their 15-14 preseason loss to Pittsburgh.

"But it's a three-way deal. I'm getting help from [offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon] and [quarterbacks coach] Sean [Payton]," Parcells said. "Is it by committee? Yeah, it really is by committee."

But make no mistake about it: Parcells has the final word.

In the Cowboys' system, the coaches are responsible for calling the plays, formations and making personnel substitutions. All Quincy Carter has to do is "be a little robotic in terms of play calling."

Parcells said this is something he has always done and not because Carter is inexperienced.

And in a semi-related note. ... Quarterback Neil O'Donnell, who has played for Parcells in the past, heads into the regular season looking for work following his release by the Titans.

The Cowboys also had a chance to acquire O'Donnell when he was unsigned in early July and didn't bite.

"We haven't contacted Neil O'Donnell," Parcells said. "I don't anticipate contacting Neil."

Signing a player such as O'Donnell for Week 1 means his contract is guaranteed for the whole season. "Most laymen think you got your 53, you got your practice squad, now it is time to go play, but that is not what an improving organization does," Parcells said. "You become more vigilant now because your opportunities are disappearing."