Jim Corbett

USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Cowboys workhorse running back DeMarco Murray's status for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts is uncertain pending the outcome of Monday surgery to repair a broken left ring finger that the league's leading rusher suffered in the team's Week 15 win against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones did not rule Murray out against the Colts during his Monday radio show, saying the possibility of Murray playing likely would depend on his pain tolerance.

Dallas coach Jason Garrett echoed that sentiment during his Monday press conference, indicating the Cowboys won't be able to gauge Murray's status until later this week.

"The biggest question(s) we have to ask ourselves is, 'Is he functional to do his job? Can he hold the football? Can he carry it under duress? Can he block? Can he do the things necessary to play the position?' " said Garrett.

"He's as strong-willed and determined an individual as I've ever been around. ... And if anybody has a chance to come back, he does."

Murray carries primarily in his right hand but is able to shift hands depending on the play side.

He injured himself while rushing for 81 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles.

Dallas' win put the Cowboys in sole possession of first place in the NFC East. The Cowboys (10-4) control their destiny with remaining games against the Colts (10-4) and at the Washington Redskins (3-11) in the regular-season finale Dec. 28.

But a Dallas loss coupled with two Eagles victories — they finish with games against the Redskins and New York Giants — would mean Philadelphia wins the division based on a better record against NFC East foes.

"It's not something that if it responds well after surgery today, that he can't come back and play this weekend," Jones told 105.3 The Fan. "It's probably a tough expectation to think that he can. But we'll see."

Murray might benefit from a week off given that he has carried a league-high 351 times, an average of 25 carries per game, to reach his league-best 1,687 yards.

Jones said he has "a lot of confidence" that Murray's primary backup, Joseph Randle, a second-year back who owns a similar running style, "would step up and play big for us."

Randle has averaged 7.0 yards per carry for 237 rushing yards and two touchdowns this season.

Lance Dunbar would also be in the mix if Murray can't go.

***

Follow Jim Corbett on Twitter @ByJimCorbett