Cowboys Add Chapter to Jones’ ‘Storybook’

There’s nothing like a heavy dose of distractions to bring the Dallas Cowboys together.

With injuries mounting and rumors of Coach Barry Switzer’s dismissal being fueled by lackluster play, Dallas got its record back to .500 on Sunday with a 24-6 victory over Arizona (2-8). The Cowboys (5-5) fashioned it with nine sacks, two rare touchdowns rushing and a big play by Herschel Walker.

Dallas, its confidence shaken after two losses in a row, beat the team that helped turn its season sour with an overtime victory Sept. 7 in Phoenix. After the Nov. 2 loss to San Francisco, Switzer and owner Jerry Jones spent this week denying reports the coach was on his way out.

The turmoil didn’t seem to bother a team playing without three offensive starters: fullback Daryl Johnston, tackle Mark Tuinei and guard Nate Newton.

Walker beat linebacker Jamir Miller on an 11-yard touchdown pass play from Troy Aikman with 1:04 left in the first half. Sherman Williams and Emmitt Smith scored on short touchdown runs in the second half. The Cowboys have only three rushing touchdowns this season.

Switzer was subdued after the game, saying simply, “We played hard. We played good.”

Jones chipped in that he was “proud of Barry.”

“We have a great chance for a storybook season,” he said.