OXNARD, CALIF. ? Terrell Owens ran hard, made cuts and came to some quick stops while catching passes Wednesday, but did so during two post-practice session with a fourth-string quarterback, not with the rest of the Dallas Cowboys starters.

Owens capped his morning workout by hauling in a long pass at the back of the end zone, slowing immediately to make sure he stayed in bounds, then walked to the locker room. He did more of the same in the afternoon, then said he was feeling “81 percent” healthy.

“I’m close,” said Owens, who wears No. 81. “I play a skill position. My legs are my livelihood. I have to be smart in this situation.”

Owens missed two practices Wednesday, the ninth and 10th since he first felt the twinge Aug. 2. He still considers himself day-to-day and reiterated he didn’t expect to play in the preseason opener Saturday night in Seattle.

“Everybody knows Bill has a rule: If you don’t practice, you don’t play,” said Owens, referring to coach Bill Parcells. “At this point it wouldn’t be beneficial and smart to jump into full action. My endurance is not where it was before I got hurt.”

Owens said he and Parcells still hadn’t discussed his injury. He did talk about it with team owner Jerry Jones, who had been gone from camp since Friday, attending the Hall of Fame ceremony then the NFL owners meetings. Jones said he would speak to reporters Friday.

“Everybody’s on board,” Owens said. “This is an investment in myself that Jerry’s made. Obviously he wants me to be smart and be honest with myself for the benefit of the team.”