After he rewarded the Dallas Cowboys with a career-best campaign in 2022, it appears running back Tony Pollard is ready to take on the upcoming NFL season.
Running back Tony Pollard enjoyed a career year in 2022 but it came to a disappointing end in the playoffs at San Francisco. Not only did the team fall to the 49ers, but the four-year performer suffered a broken leg and high ankle sprain during the second quarter.
Since he not only led the Dallas Cowboys in rushing yards (1,007) this past season but tied for the team lead with 12 total touchdowns, he was given the “franchise” tag this offseason to keep him off the open market. He’s already signed his one-year, $10.091 million tender.
As far as his road to recovery, well…
Tony Pollard injury update: RB says he’s ahead of schedule
“Right now, I’m feeling really good about where I am, a little bit ahead of schedule,” said the 2022 Pro Bowler on Thursday afternoon following OTAs (via Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com). “Being able to get out there for the walkthrough parts and to be out there with the team, get out there and get my feet wet. I’m not really limited at this point, it’s just (about) being smart with it. Just trying to work my way back in slowly and make sure I’m in tip-top shape so there’s not a fall-off.”
“Honestly, I feel faster,” explained Pollard (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). “I mean we got great trainers. Working with (director of rehabilitation Britt Brown) on the bands I don’t know for how many months we’ve been going since the season was over, I just feel like I got a lot of juice in me left.”
It’s been an interesting offseason for a team that has posted consecutive 12-5 showings. Pollard will really be the main man in the backfield now that Ezekiel Elliott (who led the Cowboys in carries and TD runs in 2022) is no longer with the team.
It’s safe to say he’s looking forward to the challenge and he could be primed for another career campaign. A healthy Pollard will make life so much easier for Mike McCarthy, quarterback Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense in general.
