Smith

IRVING, Texas -- Emmitt Smith missed practice again Wednesday because of his sprained right knee and said he didn't know if he would play in the Dallas Cowboys' game this weekend at Atlanta.

"Mentally, I would try to practice today. Physically, my leg isn't going to allow me to do it," Smith said. "It's not even my decision. This thing here has to actually act right for me to go do it."

Smith didn't know when he would try to practice, but said he wouldn't want to play Sunday without first taking part in some drills.

The Cowboys listed Smith as questionable, just like they did before he missed last Sunday's 27-24 overtime loss at the New York Giants.

Before missing the game at New York, Smith had missed only two other games because of injury in his 12-year NFL career. He has played in 176 games and his 15,564 career yards rushing are 1,162 behind Walter Payton's NFL record.

Smith missed the 1994 regular season finale against the Giants because of a strained left hamstring, but the Cowboys had already clinched a playoff spot and he played in both postseason games after that. He also sat out Nov. 14, 1999, against Green Bay because of a broken right hand.

Smith was hurt during the Cowboys' 17-3 win over Arizona on Oct. 28 when he was tackled after a 1-yard gain in the final two minutes.