Tony Pollard injury update has Cowboys fans on edge vs WFT
It’s no surprise that the Dallas Cowboys run game has been struggling as of late. With RB1 Ezekiel Elliott dealing with a knee injury, running back Tony Pollard has had to step up during this lull. So, when Cowboys fans found out that Pollard missed practice on Wednesday, Dec. 8, with a foot injury (specifically his plantar fascia), a sense of panic began to settle in. This is the first practice Pollard has missed this entire year.
With Week 14’s matchup becoming far more important than most anticipated due to the Washington Football Team‘s miraculous win streak, this is the last thing that the Cowboys need. The Cowboys have had a rough November, while WFT is getting hot and making headlines.
Many people have been saying that Pollard should be taking Elliott’s place at RB1 to help give Elliott some much-needed rest for his knee. Pollard has had two game-changing plays in the last two games with his explosive 58-yard touchdown against the Saints and his 100-yard kickoff return against the Raiders. Now, we aren’t sure how much he will be able to do on Sunday.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard a game-time decision Sunday at Washington after tearing his plantar fascia on 58-yard TD. "Right when I broke the last tackle, I picked my foot up a little higher. When I put it down and pushed off, I kind of felt a little tear." https://t.co/Zx4nLiC9a9
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 9, 2021
Although Pollard’s injury isn’t considered serious at this time, the Cowboys need to get their run game back on track is. Pollard and Elliott have combined for a bleak 201 yards on 54 carries in the last three games. That’s probably why Dallas made some roster changes in light of this unsettling news.
Likely not a coincidence, the Cowboys signed Ito Smith to the practice to the practice squad on Wednesday. Before the Smith signing, Corey Clement was the only other running back on the roster behind Elliott and Pollard. Smith was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 draft to the Atlanta Falcons. He played three seasons with Atlanta and had a total of 689 yards. But, Smith hasn’t played a snap since the 2020 season.
We can hope that the 10-day break gave Elliott enough time to rest, but there’s also no telling if he will continue to limp around the field in noticeable pain. There is also promise in the fact that head coach Mike McCarthy told local reporters that Pollard is “fine” and “on track” to play this Sunday against Washington.
There is some concern - maybe not red-alert - about Tony Pollard's availability Sunday with that foot injury. With Ezekiel Elliott dealing with the knee issue, Pollard banged up, that's why they added Ito Smith to PS. Corey Clement the other RB on the 53-man roster.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) December 8, 2021
For now, let’s just be grateful that the three-headed monster in wide receiver trio Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup is back in full swing. If Pollard and Elliott seem off, at least Dak Prescott has some playmaking targets he can throw to if/when the run is struggling.
Let’s also remember that big-gun reinforcements in DeMarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory, and Neville Gallimore are all set to play on Sunday after being on the IR. So, even if the run game is bleak, take comfort in the fact that the Cowboys have many other positional advantages to help them secure a W against WFT.
