3 reasons Cowboys not extending Tony Pollard was a no-brainer

2. Pollard's playoff injury

Remember the backlash the Cowboys received after they signed Ezekiel Elliott? While Pollard wouldn't command anything close to what Zeke got, imagine the optics if Dallas invested more money into a running back who's coming off a major injury and entering his fifth season?

The NFL is trending in the opposite direction.

Everyone expects Pollard to bounce back, but a fractured fibula and high-ankle sprain is a devastating set of injuries to suffer on one play. While the fibula healed on its own, Pollard underwent tightrope surgery to repair his ankle.

It's by no means an apples-to-apples comparison, but Dallas extended Michael Gallup post-ACL surgery. How does that decision look right now? Not great, that's for sure, and Gallup is arguably entering a make-or-break year with the franchise after his worst season since his rookie year five years ago.

It's a dicy game paying players post-injury. Given the position's limited shelf life, Dallas is wise to exercise patience with Pollard.