Cowboys RBs coach Skip Peete said the team is trying to keep RB Tony Pollard to no more than 30 snaps per game. "Pollard played a total of 30 plays [last week], and I think that's his max - as far as total play count - because then the juice doesn't become the same and he's not as quick, not as fast," Peete said. "When he got that long run on third-and-1, soon as he got to the sideline he said, 'Coach, I'm done. Done for the game. I've got no more.' ... Tony's obviously a very talented runner and good all-around back, but some guys are race cars. Some guys are high-quality, expensive sedans and those sedans can go for a long distance at a very high rate, whereas race cars go very fast and quick and run out of gas." It's just the latest indication that Dallas views Pollard as the 1B to Ezekiel Elliott's 1A.
Don't expect to see a significant shift in Dallas' backfield going forward, despite RB Tony Pollard's big Week 8. “There’s no argument,” owner Jerry Jones said when asked whether RB Ezekiel Elliott should still be the team's lead back. "Zeke’s ability to punish, Zeke’s ability to deliver, Zeke’s ability, what he does for us in pass protection, and, frankly, Zeke’s ability to make big plays are there, and we’re going to go where Zeke goes. He’s that integral to our success.” It's blatantly clear that Pollard gives Dallas' offense more juice. But the Cowboys -- check that, Jerry Jones -- has 90 million reasons to stick with Elliott. We'll see if Pollard picks up any additional work when the Cowboys come off their Week 9 bye, but he's still best considered a RB3 or flex for now.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard got a modest 14 carries with Ezekiel Elliott out Sunday, but he racked up 131 yards and 3 TDs on the ground. The biggest strike came from 54 yards out in the 4th quarter, but he also scored from 18 and 7 yards out. Pollard added 16 yards on his lone reception. Malik Davis checked in 2nd with 8 carries for 23 yards and caught both of his targets for 18 more. Dallas now gets a Week 9 bye. We'll see about Elliott's knee after that.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott (knee) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Bears. He’ll get a Week 9 bye and reportedly has a good chance to be back for Week 10. RB Tony Pollard should get workhorse usage today. He’ll be backed up by practice-squad call ups Qadree Ollison and Malik Davis.
ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms that Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott (knee) is not expected to play vs. the Bears today. He's listed as doubtful after missing practice all week. RB Tony Pollard is positioned for a workhorse role against Chicago's 25th-ranked RB defense. RBs Qadree Ollison and Malik Davis were both elevated from the practice squad on Saturday.
The Cowboys expect RB Ezekiel Elliott to return from his knee sprain after their Week 9 bye, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Zeke is officially doubtful for Sunday's game vs. the Bears, but it sounds like he might end up missing just that 1 game. We'll keep an eye on him when Dallas comes out of the bye.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott (knee) is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game vs. the Bears. He didn’t practice all week and looks likely to sit through Dallas’ upcoming Week 9 bye. Zeke’s absence should land RB Tony Pollard in a workhorse role. It’ll be RBs Qadree Ollison and Malik Davis behind him.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Cowboys don't expect RB Ezekiel Elliott to play Sunday against the Bears. He took a shot directly to his right knee in last Sunday's win over the Lions and has not practiced this week. If he's out, Tony Pollard becomes 1 of the week's most attractive fantasy football plays at the position.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott (knee) remained sidelined on Thursday. He could probably play vs. the Bears this weekend without practicing, but there's a real chance Elliott sits that one out, especially with Dallas' upcoming Week 9 bye. We'll see how he's listed on the final injury report.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott (knee) did not practice on Wednesday and admitted afterwards that he might miss this weekend's game vs. the Bears. “I think it’s a consideration, but it all depends on how I feel at the end of the week," Elliott said. The Star-Telegram's Clarence Hill reports that Elliott has a Grade 2 MCL sprain and "deep thigh bruise," but a source tells The Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken that it's more of a "hyperextension injury." Regardless, it sounds like there's a good chance Elliott is held out of Sunday's game, especially with a Week 9 bye on tap. His absence would turn Tony Pollard into a RB1. We'll continue to keep a close eye on Zeke's status.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott injured his right knee in the 2nd half of Sunday's win over the Lions but was able to play through it. “I think I’ve got a contusion on it. I still have to go back and talk to the trainers," Elliott said after the game. We'll keep an eye on this. RB Tony Pollard would obviously turn into a strong fantasy option if Elliott misses time.
Cowboys RBs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard both delivered for fantasy football teams in Sunday's win over the Lions. Elliott picked up 57 yards and scored twice among 15 carries. Pollard rushed 12 times for 83 yards and caught 2 passes for 26 more, giving him 109 total yards for the game. The 14 touches were a season high for Pollard. According to Pro Football Focus, he ran 4 more routes than Elliott for the game, marking the 1st time this season that Pollard has led in that category. We'll see whether that becomes a trend (as it probably should). Dallas gets positive RB matchups with the Bears and Packers the next 2 games, sandwiching a Week 9 bye.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard matched his season highs for opportunities (carries + targets) and touches in Sunday night's loss to the Eagles. He ran for 44 yards on 11 carries and added 2 catches for 8 yards among 3 targets. The 14 opportunities and 13 touches matched his totals from the Week 3 win over the Giants. Pollard's 40% snap share fell right in line with the previous 4 games, however, and still well short of the 55% he played in the season-opening loss to the Buccaneers. It would seem fair to expect more opportunities for Pollard in trailing game scripts, though we remain surprised that Dallas hasn't integrated him further into the offense across situations. RB Ezekiel Elliott did run well in the loss to Philly, gaining 81 yards and scoring among his 13 carries. Elliott added 1 catch for 5 yards on his lone target.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard delivered a 57-yard TD run in Sunday's win over the Rams ... but not a whole lot else. He rushed just 7 other times in the game (for 29 yards) distantly trailing Ezekiel Elliott's 22 attempts (for 78 yards). Elliott also continued to run ahead of Pollard as a receiver: 9 routes to 4, according to Pro Football Focus numbers. We'd love to see Pollard's displayed explosiveness force Dallas coaches to give him more touches. But his continued limited playing time makes Pollard bench fodder in most fantasy football leagues.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (illness) is active for today’s game vs. the Rams. We’re expecting him to play his usual role behind RB Ezekiel Elliott.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (illness) is expected to play vs. the Rams today, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. He popped up on the injury report on Friday and did not practice, but we're not expecting Pollard's role or effectiveness to be impacted today.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (illness) is questionable for this weekend's game vs. the Rams. He popped up on the injury report on Friday and did not practice. Players usually play through illnesses, but stay tuned to Shark Bites for further updates on Pollard's Week 5 status.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott tallied 81 scoreless yards in Sunday's win over the Commanders. He took 19 carries for 49 yards (2.6 per rush) and caught both of his targets for 32 yards. Nearly all of that (31) came on a single play. The 21 opportunities, however, marked Elliott's largest total and greatest share of his split with Tony Pollard through 4 games. Elliott garnered 65.6% of their combined opportunities (carries + targets) against Washington. That followed shares of 60%, 54.8% and 53.3% the first 3 weeks. We'll how that work split proceeds. Pollard managed only 6 rushing yards on 8 carries against Washington and 2 yards on his lone catch among 3 targets. He's not usable in most fantasy football formats right now.
RB Tony Pollard paced the Dallas backfield in production in Week 3, taking 13 carries for 105 yards. He saw the Cowboys’ first attempt of the night vs. New York but was narrowly out-carried by Zeke Elliott (15-73) overall. Elliott handled 3 of Dallas’ 4 goal line rushing opportunities, punching in 1 score. And, after seeing 7 targets in Week 1, Pollard garnered only 1 against the Giants. This backfield split will remain in place going forward, with Elliott the slightly better bet for weekly carries. Pollard’s receiving game involvement should rebound a bit Sunday vs. Washington. Also note that Dak Prescott (thumb) should return over the next couple of weeks.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with his thumb injury, ESPN's Todd Archer reports. Prescott is meeting with a hand specialist on Monday, but the expectation is that he'll need a pin and plate inserted to stabilize his fractured joint. The short end of that 6-8 week timetable would have Prescott back for Week 8. But Dallas has a Week 9 bye, so Week 10 might be the most likely return date for Dak. His absence is obviously a big blow to all of the Cowboys' skill-position players. Prescott is cuttable in fantasy leagues without an IR spot.
Search
