Over the weekend, Yahoo Sports.com’s Charles Robinson reported that Cowboys’ running back Marion Barber could be dealt to another team within his division before or during the draft. The NFL Network also reported that Barber could be available via trade.

But late Tuesday afternoon, multiple sources with the Cowboys denied the rumors.

From ESPN.com:

Multiple team sources said Tuesday that the Cowboys haven’t discussed trading Barber, who is coming off two injury-filled seasons where he failed to rush for more than 1,000 yards. The NFL Network reported Monday that NFL executives have said Barber is available via trade.

The only definitive information about Barber’s status has come from Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones, who said the organization has thought about starting Felix Jones.

“I see the advantages the way we’ve done it,” Jerry Jones said last week about having started Barber with Felix Jones in a reserve role. “But it was a pretty close decision, really. I know it was a consideration.”

Last season, Barber suffered from a plethora of injuries — a bruised left thigh, fractured thumb and a bruised left knee — but missed just one game, Week 3 versus Carolina.

Jerry Jones is not concerned about Barber’s health.

The original rumor is rather ridiculous when you think about it. Teams rarely trade within their own division and never trade starters within the same division. Barber’s health has been a concern, but the Cowboys are built to win now so it doesn’t make sense for them to part with him now – even though he’s due a $4 million roster bonus and $3.8 million in base salary.

We’ll see if this rumor picks up steam again around draft time, but I doubt it will. Again, the original rumor doesn’t make much sense.

Photo from fOTOGLIF