Jon Machota of The Athletic gave an update on the health of Cowboys RB Tony Pollard. “From everything I’ve heard, I think Pollard will be fully healthy by the start of the season,” Machota said. “They might ease him in during training camp.” Pollard suffered a left fibula fracture on January 22, but Dallas showed some confidence in the 26-year-old by applying the franchise tag in March. Pollard is routinely drafted as a top-8 fantasy RB.
The Cowboys signed RB Ronald Jones to a 1-year deal. In a best-case scenario, Jones would be Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott replacement -- an outcome that would give him plenty of fantasy value. The problem is that Jones' career has headed sharply south since his 192-978-7 rushing line back in 2020. He fell behind Leonard Fournette in 2021, carrying just 101 times for 428 yards and 4 TDs. And then Jones could barely get on the field for the Chiefs last year, finishing with just 17 carries for 70 yards and 1 TD. We're not completely throwing in the towel on Jones, who turns just 26 in August. But we're also not considering him a lock for Dallas' #2 RB job. We'll see what else the offseason brings. If Jones is the Cowboys' biggest addition, it'd be a big win for RB Tony Pollard.
The Cowboys have decided to release long-time former Pro Bowl RB Ezekiel Elliott after seven seasons spent with the franchise. This move will save the Cowboys $10.9 million in cap space. Elliott entered the league in 2016 and immediately led the league in rushing yards (1,631) as a rookie. For as good as the affectionately nicknamed Zeke has been as a pro, his production has seen a precipitous dropoff over time. 2022 saw Zeke post career lows in rushing yards per game (58.4), total touches (248), and PPR fantasy PPG (12.4). It's certainly feasible that Elliott can latch on somewhere as the hammer in a committee, but it's tough to imagine he'll have much of a market entering his age-28 season. This move does, however, free up RB Tony Pollard to take on the lead role in the Cowboys' backfield. The soon-to-be fifth-year back averaged 15.6 PPG en route to an RB8 overall finish in PPR in 2022. Whispers of the Cowboys' interest in Texas RB Bijan Robinson might put a damper on the prospective upside of Pollard. However, if the franchise opts to pair Pollard with another RB of lesser acclaim, he should have a highly productive season in 2023 and find himself well within the RB1 conversation. The absence of Elliott is now one hurdle cleared for Pollard, the RB16 in our dynasty rankings.
As expected, the Cowboys are applying the franchise tag to RB Tony Pollard. That will cost the team $10.1 million on a one-year deal, if the two sides can't agree to a longer-term contract before the July 15 deadline. Pollard's anxiously anticipated breakout this past season made Dallas' move inevitable. There is still some question about whether the team also keeps RB Ezekiel Elliott around. Cowboys leadership has spoken as though that's the plan. And HC Mike McCarthy intimated in February that he split with former OC Kellen Moore because McCarthy wants a more run-leaning offense. The ankle injury that knocked Pollard out of the playoff loss to San Francisco isn't expected to affect his 2023 availability or contract negotiations with the Cowboys. You'll have to pay up if you want to draft him, though. Pollard's already going 13th among RBs in best ball ADP.
Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline hears that the Cowboys are looking to keep both RB Ezekiel Elliott and RB Tony Pollard on the team for 2023. The plan is to get Elliott to agree to a pay cut from the $16.7 million he's currently scheduled to make this upcoming season and then use the franchise tag on Pollard, which would pay him a little over $10 million in 2023. Elliott and Pollard split backfield work basically down the middle this past year, with Zeke averaging 15.4 carries and 1.5 targets per game to Pollard's 12.1 carries and 3.4 targets. Both guys' fantasy ceilings would be capped if they remain together in Dallas.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair his broken left fibula, ESPN's Todd Archer reports. "Should be full strength well before training camp," Archer adds. We'll keep an eye on Pollard's rehab, but this injury shouldn't impact his 2023 fantasy outlook. Pollard is set to hit free agency in March.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard fractured his left fibula in Sunday's Divisional Round loss to the 49ers, ESPN's Todd Archer reports. Pollard also reportedly suffered a high-ankle sprain, but the leg injury is the bigger concern. Archer notes that fractured fibulas normally require a 3-month recovery. That timetable would put Pollard back on the field by the end of April, so Pollard should at least be a full-go by the time training camp rolls around. It's unfortunate timing, though, with Pollard set to hit free agency in March.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard exited Sunday's Divisional Round game vs. the 49ers in the 2nd quarter after sustaining a nasty hit and didn't return. ESPN's Todd Archer reports that Pollard sustained a fractured left fibula that will require surgery with an estimated 3-month recovery period. This news certainly explains his emotion and putting a towel over his head while being carted off the field in an air cast during the contest. It remains to be seen how this will affect Pollard's impending free agency or impact his market of potential suitors. Pollard ended Sunday's contest with 6 rushes for 22 yards and 2 receptions for 11 yards.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard injured his left ankle in the 2nd quarter of Sunday's Divisional Round game vs. the 49ers and will not return. He was carted back to the locker room with an air cast on that left ankle. The FOX broadcast reports that Pollard has a high-ankle sprain. We'll see if he avoided a fracture. Regardless, he's unlikely to be available if Dallas advances to the NFC Championship.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard led the team in rushing with 77 yards on 15 carries in addition to hauling in all 3 targets for 12 yards as a receiver in Monday’s Wild Card win vs. the Buccaneers. Fellow RB Ezekiel Elliott logged 13 carries with 27 yards. The duo shouldered nearly even amounts of the rushing workload, but Pollard is the one who looked considerably fresher. Next week’s matchup vs. the 49ers will present a difficult challenge. The 49ers’ defense ranks as the single-toughest matchup in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs this season and held the entire Seahawks’ offense to a mere 104 rushing yards on Saturday.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (thigh) practiced fully all week and doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Week 18 vs. the Commanders. Pollard is once again a top-10 RB candidate for fantasy managers this week. Though the Commanders' defense ranks as the 2nd-worst matchup in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs over the course of the whole season, it's important to note that they're 30th in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA since Week 15. The matchup isn't nearly as bad for Pollard as season-long data would suggest.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (thigh) practiced in full for the 2nd straight day on Thursday. It looks likely that Pollard will be able to play in Week 18 vs. the Commanders. We'll monitor his situation in case something changes tomorrow.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (thigh) practiced fully on Wednesday. This is a good sign for his availability in Week 18 vs. the Commanders after missing last week's game. We'll be sure to watch out for any potential changes regarding Pollard's status.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (thigh) is expected back at practice on Wednesday, HC Mike McCarthy said. That should put Pollard on track to return for this weekend's regular-season finale vs. the Commanders. Dallas is still alive for the NFC East title, needing a win and an Eagles loss to the Giants.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (thigh) is inactive for tonight's game vs. the Titans. It's unclear if he'll be able to return for next week's regular-season finale. Pollard's absence makes RB Ezekiel Elliott a safer bet for touches tonight. He'll be backed up by Malik Davis and Qadree Ollison, who was elevated from the practice squad this afternoon.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (thigh) won't play against the Titans tonight, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. We'll see if Pollard can make it back for Week 18. We don't have any details on this thigh injury. His absence is an obvious boost for RB Ezekiel Elliott -- although we're not expecting Zeke to get a massive workload in what should be an easy Dallas win. Malik Davis will step in as the Cowboys' #2 RB and is worth considering in 1-game DFS contests.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero says the Cowboys plan to put RB Tony Pollard through "early" pregame warmups tonight and determine his status. Pelissero adds that the team will "err on the side of caution." Pollard has missed practice all week with a thigh issue, and the Titans have unofficially announced that they don't care about this game by listing many starters as either out or doubtful. We're hoping Pollard will be officially inactive so that there's no fantasy-lineup decision to be made here. We'll keep an eye on the situation otherwise, but lean away from even an active Pollard if you have someone else worthwhile. If Pollard is inactive, RB Malik Davis could pick up significant work. We're still betting on Ezekiel Elliott garnering plenty of touches in a game that does matter for Dallas, and his matchup got a lot easier when Tennessee listed much of its defense on the final injury report.
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