Cowboys are about to get major injury boost heading into the playoffs

On the offensive side of the football for the Cowboys, they were down their explosive running back in Pollard, backup center/guard in Farniok, and just recently center Biadasz. While it’s still unknown if Biadaz will be able to take the field after suffering the high-ankle sprain in last week’s game, Dallas should be getting Pollard and Farniok back, and while many see the latter as a non-impact player it’s actually a big deal and here’s why.

Matt Farniok, OL

This week Farniok was designated to return from IR by the Cowboys and it couldn’t come at a better time for Dallas. The injury to center Biadasz the Cowboys were forced to move Connor McGovern to center and rookie Tyler Smith to left guard. That move then exposed the Cowboys to a potentially devastating situation because they were forced to put all three of their best offensive tackles on the field with Terence Steele out for the season. If one of those players were to go down Dallas would be forced to field Josh Ball, who has been horrible when forced to play.

Now with Farniok back the Cowboys have the ability to shift their offensive line once again, inserting Farniok at left guard and keeping Tyler Smith at left tackle. Allowing the Cowboys to keep their swing tackle out of harm’s way if either Tyler or Tyron Smith were to leave the game with an injury. You can never have enough depth along the offensive line and the addition of Farniok gives the Cowboys enough to manage until Biadasz can return, hopefully in the playoffs.

Tony Pollard, RB

The other player on this list is obviously Pollard who sat out last week with a nagging thigh injury sustained in the Eagles game. It was clear that Dallas missed Pollard’s explosiveness and big-play ability in the Tennessee Titans game rushing for 87 yards, their lowest total since week five against the Commanders. The change of pace that Pollard provides opposite Ezekiel Elliott can’t be overlooked especially when the Cowboys have had both of them on the field at the same time.

His ability out of the backfield in the passing game is also a big part of this Cowboys’ passing game. He forces defenses to account for him and in doing so opens up the field for CeeDee Lamb and the rest of the Cowboys’ receiving group to make plays down the field. If teams decide to keep their two-high safety look then Prescott can get the ball to Pollard who has turned short passes into big plays all season long.

The fact that the Cowboys get both of these players back now is going to do wonders for this offense going forward. Now let’s take a look at the defense and the reinforcements they will be getting soon.