The Dallas Cowboys certainly weren't aided by the fact that running back Tony Pollard suffered a broken left leg and combined with a high ankle sprain on a tackle late in the second quarter of their divisional postseason game against the San Francisco 49ers last month; the 49ers would advance to the NFC championship game, while the Cowboys were once again sent home early to an uncertain offseason.
Pollard, while he rehabilitates his injury in order to try and be ready by the start of training camp for next season, is also a pending free agent. His contract that saw him carry a cap hit of $1,131,945 last season is expiring, and the Cowboys would certainly like to bring him back - but at what price? And considering the fact that fellow RB Ezekiel Elliott's contract carries scheduled cap hits of at least $14.3MM for each of the four years remaining on the deal, a difficult choice may have to be made.
However, if this prediction from The Athletic’s Mike Jones holds any water, Pollard will be receiving the franchise tag from the Cowboys.
“The Cowboys use the franchise tag on Pollard, who has leapfrogged Elliott as the best back on the roster,” writes Jones. “That means the Cowboys retain his services for this year without having to commit long-term as he comes off a leg and ankle injury. Pollard’s salary jumps from $965,000 to roughly $10 million.”
In 2022, Pollard racked up a career best 1,007 rushing yards (with 400 more in the air) along with 12 touchdowns.
