Pollard (ankle) said Thursday he's ahead of schedule in his recovery and plans to be ready for the start of training camp, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.
The 26-year-old was participating in reduced-tempo OTA practices last week and appears to be progressing well in his recovery after he underwent tightrope surgery on a high-ankle sprain and broken fibula in his left leg back in January. According to Jon Machota of The Athletic, Pollard also said he's "not really limited at this point," and the tailback is poised to lead Dallas' backfield in 2023 following the release of Ezekiel Elliott, who remains a free agent.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Taking part in OTAs
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Pollard (ankle) has been participating in reduced-tempo OTA practices, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Pollard signed a franchise tag March 23, two months after having tightrope surgery on a high-ankle sprain in his left leg. He also broke the fibula, but it's still an easier rehab than something like an ACL or Achilles tear. While he may have some limitations as the offseason progresses and practices become more intense, Pollard is well on his way to starting Week 1 in a Dallas backfield without Ezekiel Elliott (still a free agent as of late May).
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Signs franchise tag
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Pollard (ankle) signed his franchise tag with the Cowboys on Thursday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Pollard signing his franchise tag sets him up to play out the 2023 season on a one-year, $10.1 million salary, though he and the Cowboys still have until July 17 to negotiate a long-term deal. With Ezekiel Elliott having been released by Dallas, Pollard currently stands as the clear No. 1 running back on the team's depth chart, potentially priming him to build upon the 1,378 scrimmage yards season he logged in 2022. By all accounts, the Cowboys expect Pollard -- who underwent ankle surgery in late January -- to be ready for training camp.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Officially franchise tagged
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The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Pollard (ankle) on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The transaction sets Pollard up to play out the 2023 campaign on a one-year, $10.1 million dollar contract, though both sides have until July to keep negotiating on a long-term agreement. Pollard being franchise tagged has widely been the expected outcome out of Dallas, and the team could still attempt to work out a restructure with Ezekiel Elliott this offseason. In any case, with Pollard reportedly on track for training camp after undergoing ankle surgery in late January, he enters his age-26 season in prime position to be a difference-maker for fantasy purposes. He broke out with a career-high 1,378 yards from scrimmage and 12 total touchdowns across 16 games while sharing the backfield with Elliot last season.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Should be ready for training camp
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The Cowboys expect Pollard (leg/ankle) to be ready for training camp, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
Pollard broke his fibula and suffered a high-ankle sprain during the Cowboys' divisional-round loss to the 49ers and underwent surgery to address the ankle issue. The pending free agent finished the 2022 season with 1,378 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns, and based on Machota's report, it sounds like Dallas is expected to retain the star running back, though it's unclear if that'll be through an extension or via the franchise tag. Either way, it's a positive sign to see Pollard still on track with his rehab, and if healthy, he should one of the more sought-after running backs in fantasy drafts this summer.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Big year ahead of free agency
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Pollard (ankle) carried the ball 193 times for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns and caught 39 of 55 targets for 371 yards and an additional three TDs though 16 games in 2022.
The fourth-year running back put together a career-best campaign, setting new personal bests in rushing yards, receiving yards and TDs while averaging better than 5.0 yards per carry for the third time in his four NFL seasons. Pollard suffered a broken fibula and high-ankle sprain in the Cowboys' divisional-round loss to the 49ers, the latter injury which required surgery, but he's expected to be fully recovered from both by the start of training camp. The biggest question for Pollard will be which team he's in the training camp with; he's an unrestricted free agent this offseason, although Dallas could elect to give him the franchise tag if the team can't work out a new contract with him.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Surgery completed
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Pollard underwent a tightrope procedure Monday to address the left high-ankle sprain he sustained during Sunday's 19-12 loss to the 49ers in the divisional round of the playoffs, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Pollard also sustained a broken left fibula Sunday, but Archer notes that the running back didn't need surgery to address that injury, which will be able to heal on its own. Pollard should be back to full strength well before training camp in late July, as his recovery from the ankle procedure is expected to last around 3-4 months. The rough timeline means that Pollard may not be able to participate in OTAs, but the Cowboys' main focus will likely be in ensuring that the running back is under contract by that time. The 25-year-old is ticketed for unrestricted free agency in March, but the Cowboys will have the ability to place their franchise tag on him or sign him to an extension before he reaches the open market.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Requires surgery
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Pollard suffered a fractured left fibula and a high-ankle sprain during Sunday's 19-12 loss to the 49ers in the divisional round and will require offseason surgery on the former injury, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Pollard was carted to the locker room late in the first half of the contest and didn't return, ending the day with six carries for 22 yards and two catches for 11 yards. A timeline for his recovery won't be established until after surgery is completed, the procedure typically entails a 3-to-4-month rehab process. With that in mind, Pollard could be back to 100 percent at some point between the latter stages of OTAs in the spring and the start of NFL training camps in late July, but it's unclear if he'll be with Dallas or another club. The 2019 fourth-round pick was in the final year of his rookie contract in 2022 but is a candidate to receive the franchise tag from the Cowboys this offseason, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Won't return Sunday
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Pollard (ankle) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against San Francisco, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Pollard sustained a left ankle injury late in the first half of Sunday's matchup, and coach Mike McCarthy said at halftime that the running back will be unavailable for the second half. Prior to his departure, Pollard rushed six times for 22 yards while securing two of three targets for 11 yards. His injury was described as a high-ankle sprain by the Fox broadcast, putting his availability for next weekend's NFC Championship Game against the Eagles in doubt if the Cowboys advance, but more work will be available for Ezekiel Elliott and Malik Davis to close out Sunday's game against San Francisco.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Carted to locker room
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Pollard was carted to the locker room late in the first half of Sunday's divisional-round game against the 49ers due to an apparent left leg injury, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
Pollard's left leg was rolled up on in the closing minutes of the second quarter Sunday, and he was helped off the field afterward. After spending some time in the medical tent, he was carted to the locker room with seconds remaining before halftime. If Pollard is unable to return for the second half, Ezekiel Elliott will be in line to operate as the Cowboys' clear lead running back, while Malik Davis could also see some work as a secondary option.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Efficient effort in wild-card win
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Pollard rushed 15 times for 77 yards and secured all three of his targets for 12 yards in the Cowboys' 31-14 wild-card win over the Buccaneers on Monday night.
Pollard was able to put together a solid performance, parlaying his touches into an efficient night that saw him lead the Cowboys' backfield in yardage by a wide margin. However, Ezekiel Elliott logged just two fewer carries, and both players project to play key roles in Sunday's divisional-round road matchup against an elite 49ers run defense.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Nearly invisible in loss
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Pollard carried the ball seven times for 19 yards and failed to catch his only target in Sunday's 26-6 loss to the Commanders.
The Cowboys' offense completely failed to show up in the regular-season finale, and Pollard's meager rushing yard total actually tied Malik Davis for the team lead. Pollard finishes the regular season with a career-high 1,378 scrimmaging yards and 12 total TDs, and with Dak Prescott still struggling with interceptions, Dallas could lean heavily on their running game in the wild-card round against Tampa Bay.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Back to full participation
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Pollard (thigh) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Pollard was held out of practice before sitting out last Thursday's game at Tennessee as he dealt with a thigh injury. With his return to full activity in the first session of Week 18 prep, the fourth-year pro is past the health concern as the Cowboys turn their focus toward Sunday's matchup with the Commanders. With the NFC East title and No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs still in the line, Dallas likely will roll with all its regulars this weekend. If so, Pollard will be poised for his usual allotment of roughly 15 touches per game.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Officially out Thursday
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Pollard (thigh) is listed as inactive Thursday at Tennessee, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
With a short week to prepare between last Saturday's win against the Eagles and Thursday's game, Pollard's inability to practice Monday through Wednesday put him behind the eight ball to be available for Week 17. He began trending toward his first absence of the season after Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported earlier Thursday that the Cowboys were likely to hold out the fourth-year pro, and indeed that has come to pass. As a result, Ezekiel Elliott is in line to handle a healthy share of Dallas' backfield reps, while Malik Davis and potentially practice-squad call-up Qadree Ollison will spell Elliott, especially if the game gets out of hand against a reeling and short-handed Titans squad. Pollard will turn his focus to getting healthier for a Week 18 road matchup with the Commanders.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: In line to sit out Thursday
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Pollard (thigh) remains listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Titans, but the Cowboys plan to make him inactive for the Week 17 contest, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported earlier Thursday that Pollard could be an option to play against the Titans if he fared better than anticipated in a pregame workout, but the Cowboys have apparently already decided to err on the side of caution and will ultimately hold the running back out for the first time this season. He won't be officially ruled out for the contest until the Cowboys release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but Pollard's anticipated absence leaves Ezekiel Elliott as the clear-cut top option out of the backfield. Given that the Cowboys are heavy road favorites for a game in which the Titans are resting or holding out several key players due to injury, it's possible that Elliott ends up seeing a lighter workload in his own right if Dallas turns the game into a blowout by halftime or the third quarter. In that scenario, No. 2 back Malik Davis would be in store for a pronounced role behind Elliott.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Looks like game-time decision
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Pollard (thigh), who is officially listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Titans, will have to prove his health in pregame workouts to avoid being inactive, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Pollard's status may thus not be made official until Dallas' inactive list is released 90 minutes prior to Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. Team owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday that Pollard "looks good for the game," but the explosive running back wasn't able to practice in any capacity Monday through Wednesday due to a thigh issue. If Pollard ultimately can't go Thursday, Ezekiel Elliott could be in line for an increased role atop the Cowboys' backfield depth chart, with Malik Davis mixing in behind him.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Status in question for Thursday
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Pollard (thigh) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game at Tennessee, Jane Slater of NFL Network reports.
Despite being listed as a non-participant on practice reports Monday through Wednesday due to a thigh issue, Pollard has some positivity surrounding his status for Week 17. On Tuesday, team owner Jerry Jones relayed that Pollard "looks good for the game," and the team is "counting on him playing," according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Ultimately, the Cowboys' inactive list will become known about 90 minutes before Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, at which point Pollard's availability, or lack thereof, will be confirmed. If he's able to gut through the injury, Pollard again will serve in a timeshare with Ezekiel Elliott out of Dallas' backfield.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Sits out another practice
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Pollard (thigh) was a non-participant in Tuesday's practice, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
According to Gehlken, head coach Mike McCarthy said prior to Tuesday's practice that Pollard would be included in what was expected to be a light workout, but the running back wasn't spotted during the open portion of the session and apparently didn't fit in any work behind the scenes either. With two straight listings as a non-participant on the Cowboys' first two Week 17 practice reports, Pollard may need to advance to limited activity Wednesday to keep himself in the mix for playing Thursday against the Titans. If Pollard misses the contest or is available only in a limited capacity, Ezekiel Elliott could be in store for a heightened role in the Dallas backfield.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Could play Thursday
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Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday that Pollard (thigh) "looks good for the game" against the Titans on Thursday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
Pollard was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated injury report due to a thigh issue, but Jones said "we're counting on him playing." Those comments offer optimism that Pollard's lack of activity Monday may have been related to rest or maintenance rather than an injury sustained during Sunday's 40-34 win over the Eagles, a game in which Pollard carried the ball nine times for 19 yards and secured six of eight targets for 61 yards. Tuesday's practice report will provide a further update on Pollard's health.
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Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Busy day through air Saturday
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Pollard rushed nine times for 19 yards and secured six of eight targets for 61 yards in the Cowboys' 40-34 win over the Eagles on Saturday.
Pollard made up for his ragged day on the ground with a productive effort through the air, checking in second in receptions, receiving yards and targets. Pollard's reception total tied his season high and his yardage tally served as his second highest of the campaign, although he left some production on the table by dropping what would have been a walk-in touchdown in the fourth quarter. The versatile back split the workload as usual with Ezekiel Elliott, who recorded 17 touches to Pollard's 15, and it remains to be seen if he will return to double-digit carries in a Week 17 road matchup against the Titans on Thursday night.
