Dallas Cowboys RB Tony Pollard admits 2023 has been a personal disappointment
As the Dallas Cowboys head into the final game of regular season, one player, who was expected to have significant impact on their success in 2023, admits that his season has been a personal disappointment.
Tony Pollard was elevated RB1 status following a breakout Pro Bowl season in 2022 and the departure of two-time NFL rushing champ Ezekiel Elliott.
He was supposed to the bell cow of a run-oriented attack under coach Mike McCarthy, complete with a guaranteed $10.3 million one-year contract to signify his new status and larger role.
That the Cowboys are one win against the Washington Commanders away from their straight 12-5 season and winning the NFC East has more to do with quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb leading an explosive passing attack, which ranks third in the NFL, than what Pollard has done on the ground.
His numbers have taken a step back from a year ago and the Cowboys, who can’t run when they want or need to, are admittedly looking for options to improve the running game heading into the Sunday’s game against the Commanders and ensuing playoff push.
The Cowboys signed running back SaRodorick Thompson to practice squad Wednesday and are doing their homework on free agent running back Dalvin Cook, a four-time Pro Bowler who was released by the New York Jets on Tuesday.
The Cowboys also signed tackle La’el Collins, linebacker Damien Wilson and receiver Racey McMath to the practice squad.
“I thought I would probably have a better year than I am now,” Pollard said candidly when asked about his season Thursday. “Where we are as far as playoffs and rankings, I couldn’t complain. With everything in front of us.”
A year after rushing 193 times for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns in a backup role, Pollard has 235 carries for 935 yards and five touchdowns through 16 games in 2023.
He is averaging a respectable for 4.0 yards a carry. But the consistency has not been there, as he has just one 100-yard game.
“That’s an OK year for me,” Pollard said. “I hold myself to a higher standard. I try to be my hardest critic and my hardest judge before anybody else can. So I’m always hard on myself.”
Not only was more expected him on the ground but the big play has disappeared from his game.
Pollard averaged 5.2 and 5.5 yards per carry the previous two seasons and scored as many long touchdowns as anyone in the NFL.
Pollard has just two runs of 25 yards or more 2023 after six in 2022, including three of at least 40 yards.
To his credit, Pollard refused to blame the recovery from gruesome ankle injury in the season-ending playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers for his struggles in 2023.
He started slow but says he feels like his normal self again.
“Health-wise, I’m great,” Pollard said. “Ankle feels good. There’s no nagging problems or anything like that. I’m ready to go.”
So what has been the difference?
“I’m not sure. But the season isn’t over,” Pollard said. “We’ve got a lot of games left to play. We’ll see. It’s one game at a time, so one game can definitely get everything going.”
This story was originally published January 4, 2024 at 9:04 AM.
