ARLINGTON, Texas -- If the Dallas Cowboys are to rebound from a two-game losing streak and make a push for the playoffs, it will have to come without their leading rusher.
Rookie running back DeMarco Murray suffered a season-ending fractured right ankle to go with a high right ankle sprain on a first-quarter carry in the Cowboys' 37-34 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday night. According to a source, Murray will require surgery.
"It appears like he is gone for the season," coach Jason Garrett said.
Murray suffered the injury on an 8-yard run when Giants defensive end Dave Tollefsen fell on the rookie's ankle while twisting him to the ground.
After the game, Murray moved through the locker room on crutches with a protective boot on his ankle. His car was waiting just feet away from the locker room entrance after the game.
After a night to come to grips with his injury, Murray made his first public comments via Twitter on Monday morning.
"God is too good! Minor setback but guarantee I'll be back a better football player! Love my teammates and #cowboynation! Thanks for support!!" Murray tweeted.
Felix Jones replaced Murray and finished with 106 yards on 16 carries. Murray became the Cowboys' main runner after Jones suffered a high ankle sprain Oct. 16 at New England. A week later Murray set a franchise record with 253 yards against St. Louis, and he was on pace to become the Cowboys' first 1,000-yard back since Julius Jones in 2007.
He will finish his season with 897 yards on 164 carries and two touchdowns. He also caught 26 passes for 183 yards. Tony Dorsett, Calvin Hill and Emmitt Smith are the only Cowboys to rush for more yards as rookies.
"DeMarco has been a big part of this offense and a big part of this football team," quarterback Tony Romo said. "We are lucky to have a guy like Felix, obviously, who can step in. He did a great job tonight. We love the depth we have."
Jones is the only tailback currently on the 53-man roster, so the Cowboys will need to sign another runner. The club put Phillip Tanner on injured reserve last week with a hamstring injury in order to call up wide receiver Andre Holmes from the practice squad. Running back Chauncey Washington is an option on the practice squad.
Jones' outing was his second-best of the season. He had 115 yards in an 18-16 win against Washington on Sept. 26, but he missed four games with the ankle sprain and had just 11 carries for 54 yards in his three games before Sunday.
Todd Archer covers the Cowboys for ESPNDallas.com. Tim MacMahon contributed to this report.