IRVING – When the Cowboys players return to Valley Ranch on Wednesday, Bill Parcells will address them on the playoffs and how important it is to finish the regular season strong.
Dallas clinched a playoff berth Sunday when Minnesota and Carolina lost. The Cowboys can win the NFC East with a win over Philadelphia on Christmas Day. Dallas moved into a tie for the No. 2 seed after New Orleans lost to Washington on Sunday, but the Saints own the tie-breaker over the Cowboys. If Dallas wins out and New Orleans loses one of its final two games, the Cowboys earn the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye.
"Well I don't think there's any coach that was in that [position] who doesn't want to finish the season on a good note," Parcells said. "I don't know that we will or not. But I think if you can win out I think you've got a chance to be in a real good position when the playoffs start."
Players are excited about clinching a playoff berth but understand there is more to play for.
"We're excited about the playoffs, but we have to take care of business and get that No. 2 seed," quarterback Tony Romo said.
Injury update: Kick returner Miles Austin suffered a broken left hand Saturday at Atlanta. Austin is wearing a soft cast but isn't expected to miss any time.
Cornerback Jacques Reeves has a dislocated left elbow, and his status is uncertain.
"It's not the pain," Reeves said. "It's swollen. My range of motion is not where it needs to be."
Kick returner Tyson Thompson, who was placed on injured reserve Oct. 31 with a fractured left ankle, said he's ready to play after a month of rehab. Doctors told Thompson he would miss four to six weeks. Thompson is not eligible to return because he's on IR.
Players visit area hospitals: The Cowboys made their annual holiday visits to area hospitals Monday. The team was divided into five groups and visited Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Parkland Hospital Burn Unit, Children's Medical Center Dallas, Medical City Children's Hospital and Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth.
"It's tough to see what these people are going through," said DeMarcus Ware, one of 20 players to visit Children's Medical Center Dallas. "It really brings you down to ground level to let you know there are people going through things. It means a lot to us to just come out here and visit them and see them smile for a change."
Pro Bowl team announced today: The Pro Bowl team will be announced today on the NFL Network at 3 p.m. Dallas has several candidates, including Tony Romo, Roy Williams, Terrell Owens, Terence Newman, DeMarcus Ware and Mat McBriar.
Romo leads the NFC in passing with a 98.4 quarterback rating, and McBriar is tied for tops in punting with a 39.5 net average. Owens leads NFL receivers with 11 touchdown receptions.
Newman is tied for fourth on the team in tackles with 48, Ware leads the team with 7 ½ sacks, and Williams has a team-leading five interceptions.
E-mail cwatkins@dallasnews.com
