Cowboys sign Morris to replace injured Murray

To replace rookie running back DeMarco Murray on the roster, the Cowboys signed a running back from Texas Tech the Spike Dykes era at Texas Tech. Sammy Morris, an 11-year NFL veteran, was signed Tuesday and Murray was placed on injured reserve after fracturing an ankle in Sunday's loss to the Giants. The 34-year-old Morris was a senior in 1999 at Texas Tech, the year before Mike Leach took over the Red Raiders' program. Morris has played his entire career in AFC East with the Bills, Dolphins and Patriots. He has been out of football since getting cut by the Patriots in training camp before this season. Murray was placed on the injured reserve list Tuesday, ending his season. That left Felix Jones as the only running back on the active roster. Last week, third-string running back Phillip Tanner was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Murray reportedly had surgery on the ankle Monday. He rushed for 897 yards and two touchdowns and won the starting job in mid-season after rushing for a club record 253 yards against the Rams. The Cowboys also placed Barry Church on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Safety Mana Silva, who went undrafted in the 2011 draft, was signed to take Church's spot. Silva had most recently been on the Bills' practice squad. The Cowboys also added veteran cornerback C.J. Wilson, who was cut by Carolina in September, to the practice squad. Follow Keith Whitmire on Twitter: @Keith_Whitmire