According to ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon, while Marion Barber will benefit from the few extra days of rest, the left calf strain he suffered late in Thursday’s loss to the Saints will probably cause him to miss one or two games.

If that's the case, Tashard Choice could finally get another shot at contributing.

Choice has 14 carries for 38 yards this season, with only six carries in the last eight games, including a 1-yard touchdown against the Saints after Barber’s injury.

However, Choice has proven throughout the course of his three-year career that he’s capable of producing when the Cowboys count on him.

Choice had at least eight carries in eight games the previous two seasons. He rushed for 589 yards (5.2 per carry) and four touchdowns in those games, adding another 252 yards on 27 receptions.

As MacMahon suggests, those numbers blow away Barber’s poor production this season. Barber has rushed for 313 yards (3.1 per carry) and three touchdowns and caught 11 passes for 49 yards in 11 games.

While the coaching staff clearly favors Barber -- for reasons that remain unclear, they might not have any choice other than to give Choice a chance next weekend against the Colts' 29th-ranked run defense.

It's safe to say I'll be keeping a close eye out for more on Barber's injury and possible status between now and then.