EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- With the New York Giants on a three-game losing streak, Pro Bowl linebacker Jessie Armstead may have to do something he's never done in nine NFL seasons -- miss a game.

Armstead, who has started the last 89 games at weakside linebacker and played in all 135 regular-season games since joining the Giants in 1993, is questionable for Sunday's game with Dallas after spraining his left calf and hamstring in a 35-21 loss to Washington.

"I am doing everything possible to get back on that field, and if it is humanely possible I will be back on that field," said Armstead, a Pro Bowl choice the last four years.

Armstead didn't practice or run Wednesday, but that's not an indicator of whether he will be ready to play against the Cowboys.

When he hurt his left leg Sunday, he was on the ground for a couple of minutes and then limped off the field. He returned for one play on the Redskins' next series, but left the field when he couldn't push off his leg.

"I believe in being a warrior and going back out there no matter what the circumstance is and helping the team win," Armstead said of his decision to return.

Armstead was hurt on a play where he tried to help defensive end Michael Strahan make a tackle on Redskins halfback Stephen Davis deep in Washington territory.

Strahan made the tackle and almost got a safety in the process. Armstead got hurt when he was pushed to the ground by a lineman.

"I told him if I had confidence he could make a tackle, I could have stayed where I was," quipped Armstead, who has led the Giants in tackles the last five seasons.

If Armstead can't go, second-year pro Dhani Jones will play.

Armstead said the streak, which is 26 games shy of the team record set by punter Dave Jennings from 1971-84, won't influence his decision.

"I never look at the streak or anything like that," the former eighth-round draft pick said Wednesday. "I look at it as I'm going out there to do my job. Streaks don't mean anything to me.

"What means something to me is going out there and helping the team fight. The streak represents that you know I am going to go out there and fight for my team. I want everyone to realize you can depend on me come Sunday."

This Sunday might be different.

"Jessie is one of those guys who if he is close, he is going to want to play," Giants coach Jim Fassel said. "My whole process when I talk to players is I don't need any heroes out there who can't help us win."

Jones, who missed his rookie season after hurting his knee in training camp, would be an inviting target for the Cowboys. He's the primary backup at both middle and weakside linebacker, but he's a middle linebacker.

"It's like if someone walks on the field and they got a cast on," Jones said. "You're playing against them, it's nothing personal, but you go after that cast. So I accept that challenge. I can't be weak and let my teammates down."

Fassel said the defense wouldn't change much without Armstead.

No matter who plays, the Giants (3-4) need to end the three-game losing streak.

"We need everybody on this team to come together and change that," Armstead said. "I feel with me standing on the sidelines, I'm not being part of the help. That's my main thing. That's the biggest part going on in my head, because I'd love if we could walk out of here 4-4."