Tony Pollard has excellent response to filling Ezekiel Elliott’s Week 8 role
Dallas Cowboys RB1 Ezekiel Elliott took quite a serious hit to the knee in Week 7. On a 14-yard rush, the play ended with Lions safety Deshon Elliott’s helmet colliding directly with Elliott’s knee as he was brought down.
For a man known for his brute and toughness, it was one of the first times we have seen Elliott down on the field in pain for a while. When he was finally able to get himself to the sideline, the Cowboys RB1 didn’t even get medical attention. He was standing next to the coaches waiting for his chance to get back out there.
By some magic, the running back looked even better after the scary hit. He finished the game with 57 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Both touchdowns, and a beautiful hurdle, were after the injury.
However, when it came time for practice on Wednesday this week, Elliott was not on the field. He did not participate on Wednesday and was seen doing light rehab work on Thursday. In an article from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Clarence Hill Jr. reported that the RB1 suffered a grade 2 MCL sprain in his right knee to go along with a “painful” deep thigh bruise.
Hill Jr. also said the team plans to keep Elliott out of the game on Sunday, which would give him three weeks of rest before the Week 10 game against the Packers because the Cowboys are on the bye in Week 9.
However, prior to the weekend, Elliott didn’t seem to be ready to count himself out.
"“We still have a lot of time before Sunday. Just focused on getting this knee as healthy as I can. I think that is a consideration.But it just depends on how I feel by the end of the week going into the game.”"
This would mean RB2, who plays more like an RB1, Tony Pollard would be the main starter for the Cowboys in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears. When asked if he was prepared to take over Elliott’s snaps, the former fourth-rounder had an excellent response:
“They call it, I’m gonna haul it.”
I asked Tony Pollard if he is ready and can handle an increased work load in light of Ezekiel Elliott's knee injury that could keep him out of Sunday's game against the Bears. Pollard didn't blink, saying: "They call it, I’m a haul it. Whatever they ask me to carry, I got it" pic.twitter.com/dddfyxjC33
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) October 26, 2022
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard has an excellent response to being asked if he’s ready to take over for Ezekiel Elliott if necessary
It feels like Pollard has always had that mentality. Despite consistently ranking as one of the best running backs in the league, he still is simply prepared to do whatever Dallas needs him to, whether that’s behind Elliott or not.
Pollard’s role has progressively increased in each of his last three years with the Cowboys. In 2021, he set career highs in almost every statistical category and averaged 5.5 yards per carry which ranked him second-best among running backs in the league.
This year alone, he’s had 375 yards and two touchdowns from just 67 carries. That gives him an impressive average of 5.6 yards per carry.
We hope that Elliott is okay and heals quickly, but after Jerry Jones claimed on Friday that the team will be playing it safe here, he should have faith that the men behind him are ready to get the job done.
