The Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl cornerback was held out of Friday's practice after reinjuring his groin in Thursday's workout. He's listed as questionable for Sunday's game against San Francisco.

"He's working through (a slightly pulled groin), and we didn't want him to push off on it," owner Jerry Jones said.

Asked if Newman would play Sunday, Jones said, "Yeah, but I don't know that. He ought to."

Newman appeared to be back to his old self after he returned last week from sports hernia surgery that forced him to miss five games. In one of his best outings as a pro, Newman limited Washington's Santana Moss to five receptions for 29 yards.

Newman hurt his groin in training camp. The injury forced him to miss the preseason and the season opener.

Newman returned to play in three games. But after Moss burned him for eight catches and 145 yards in Week 4, Newman underwent the hernia surgery.

The secondary struggled during Newman's absence. With Newman back last week, the defense played with confidence in helping Dallas edge Washington 14-10.

Newman finished with seven tackles, an interception and two pass breakups.

Phillips defends Owens: Cowboys coach Wade Phillips suggested Friday that Terrell Owens has a legitimate beef when he says the team's offensive system is the reason his production is down.

In a taped interview on the NFL Network Thursday night, Owens said of catching only one touchdown in the last five games, "It's not that I can't play, it's the system I'm in."

Phillips was asked what he thought of Owens' comments.

"I'd say us getting him the Football is the most important thing because, again, he's a great player and we got to get him the ball. And if he's not getting the ball enough, then it goes back to us," he said.

It's official: The NFL notified the Cowboys that cornerback Adam Jones can begin practice Monday. The league said he would be fully reinstated for the Dec. 7 game against Pittsburgh if he complies with conditions set by its office.