He never complained. Just kept working with the belief that when his opportunity finally came to contribute on more than special teams, he'd shine.

And that's exactly what Jones has done the past three weeks when called upon to play in the nickel package. He's contributed 11 tackles and three sacks in the past three games. The five-year veteran also corralled his first NFL interception in last Sunday's win over the Chiefs.

"I don't know what was done that allowed me to get that call-up, but in this league when your name does get called, you have to be prepared," said Jones, who didn't become a regular in the base defense until Michael Lehan went on injured reserve, Jason Allen broke his hand and Joey Thomas struggled in his lone game. "I've prepared every week like I was going to play. When your number is called, you've got to make them not second-guess it."

Defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni said Jones' emergence has helped the secondary become more consistent because it allowed Will Allen, the team's best cover corner, to return to the boundary. If Will Allen's groin strain sidelines him Sunday against the Jets, Jones could see his role elevated even more, possibly playing in the base package. But don't expect any other cornerback to handle that nickel spot because Jones' quickness has established him as a specialist.

"In our experience with him prior to here in Dallas, he always had kind of a feel, timing," Pasqualoni said. "He has a knack for getting there."

Light work

Linebacker Channing Crowder (left knee) and Will Allen (groin) practiced Thursday, but their involvement was limited.

Coach Tony Sparano said today's practice will go a long way toward indicating if both starters will play Sunday. Crowder sat out last Sunday's game. Allen has started 117 straight games in his NFL career, a streak that goes back to the second week of his rookie season.

Cobbs finds more work

Patrick Cobbs served as the primary kickoff returner last weekend and produced a 60-yard return on the game-opening kickoff. Sparano said weather had a lot to do with the switch from Ted Ginn Jr., which might be revisited against the Jets.

"This is not a knock on [Ginn], Ted is a speed guy, he's a little bit more of a slasher, where Patrick is more of a vertical guy, built a little lower to the ground and still can go," Sparano said.

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