Tag: tony pollard

Reports: RB Tony Pollard agrees to deal with Titans

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Running back Tony Pollard agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract with the Tennessee Titans on Monday, according to multiple reports.

Pollard and second-year player Tyjae Spears are the new face of the Titans’ running game with Derrick Henry hitting free agency.

Pollard’s deal matches the reported value of the Bears’ agreement with D’Andre Swift, a free agent who played for the Eagles last season.

After five seasons in Dallas, including 2023 under the franchise tag, Pollard, 26, becomes the first acquisition under head coach Brian Callahan.

Pollard rushed for 3,621 yards with 23 touchdowns in 79 games (23 starts) with the Cowboys, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Memphis. He also caught 176 passes for 1,319 yards and five TDs.

Reports indicate interest was high in Pollard with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants among the teams hoping to huddle with the big-play back.

Pollard’s exit leaves Dallas in need of a starter at the position.

–Field Level Media

Nov 12, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) reacts after getting first down against the New York Jets during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Likely no franchise tags for RBs Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The free-agent market for running backs this offseason is expected to be extraordinarily deep, with no franchise tags likely for numerous running backs, including Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley and Tony Pollard, according to a report by ESPN Monday.

With a franchise tag cost of $14,149,200, the Las Vegas Raiders are not expected to give it to Jacobs but are expected to try to re-sign the 2022 NFL rushing champion.

Jacobs has 5,545 rushing yards in 73 games since being drafted by the then-Oakland Raiders in the first round in 2018, including 1,101 yards from scrimmage (805 rushing, 296 receiving) and six touchdowns in 13 starts in 2023.

The New York Giants are reportedly unlikely to use the franchise tag on Barkley, which would cost $12,109,200.

The Giants are, however, expected to explore a deal with Barkley, who at the end of last season said he was “numb” to the possibility of being hit with the franchise tag for a second time and was skipping the Giants’ open-door policy exit interviews.

“I went through the whole process last year. We talked more than enough last year, to be honest. I’m gonna let my agents handle that,” Barkley said after the last game of the season.

Barkley started all 14 games he played in last season, rushing for 962 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 41 passes for 280 yards and four scores.

The Dallas Cowboys are also expected to pass on a $12,109,200 franchise tag for Pollard, according to ESPN. The Cowboys took Pollard in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. In 79 career regular-season games (23 starts), Pollard has 3,621 rushing yards, 1,319 receiving yards and 28 combined touchdowns.

Other running backs expected in the free-agent market include A.J. Dillon, J.K. Dobbins, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Gus Edwards, Austin Ekeler, Ezekiel Elliott, Derrick Henry, Zack Moss and Devin Singletary.

Although several top running backs complained last offseason about being underpaid, they aren’t likely to grab enormous sums of money, with many teams still unwilling to pay big for running backs, despite a major increase in the NFL salary cap this year.

The league’s free-agent signing period opens March 13.

–Field Level Media

Jan 16, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) breaks the tackle of Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (45) in the first half during the wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: No long-term deal for Cowboys RB Tony Pollard

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Franchise-tagged running back Tony Pollard isn’t expected to sign a long-term deal with the Dallas Cowboys before Monday afternoon’s deadline, multiple outlets reported.

In fact, NFL Network reported that no long-term discussions were held between Pollard and the Cowboys with the understanding he’d play this season on the tag. Pollard signed the franchise tender and will earn $10.09 million in 2023.

Teams and their franchised players have until 4 p.m. ET on Monday to agree to contracts or sign the franchise tender.

All eyes are on fellow RBs Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants and Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders. Neither Barkley or Jacobs have signed their franchise tender for this season.

Dallas’ running game will go through Pollard, who is taking over RB1 from the released Ezekiel Elliott. Pollard took part in offseason activities as he recovered from ankle surgery, and he is expected to be ready to go when training camp opens July 26.

Pollard, 26, was selected to his first Pro Bowl after last season, in which he ran for a career-high 1,007 yards. He added 39 receptions for 371 yards, and he scored a combined 12 touchdowns in 16 games (four starts).

In the Cowboys’ postseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers in January, he sustained the high ankle sprain and underwent a “tightrope” procedure to repair his ankle. He also broke the fibula in his left leg.

The Cowboys took Pollard in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. In 62 career regular-season games (six starts), Pollard has 2,616 rushing yards, 1,008 receiving yards and 22 combined touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Former Memphis Tiger football star and current Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard holds a football camp at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on May 13, 2023 in Memphis, Tenn.

Rehabbing RB1 Tony Pollard on field for Cowboys OTAs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tony Pollard, rehabbing from leg surgery and the new starting running back for the Dallas Cowboys, has been on the field for organized team activities this week.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday that Pollard has been participating in slower-paced walk-throughs. McCarthy himself is recovering from a back procedure earlier this month.

Pollard sustained a high-ankle sprain and a fractured fibula late in the first half of January’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round of the playoffs. He underwent what’s known as a “tightrope” surgery 10 days later to provide stability to the injured ankle.

Pollard, 26, ran for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns on 193 carries — all career highs — while splitting time in the Dallas backfield with Ezekiel Elliott in 2022. Pollard also caught 39 passes for 371 yards and three scores. However, the Cowboys released Elliott in a cost-cutting move on March 15.

The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Pollard, and he signed the $10.091 million tender in March. Pollard and the Cowboys have until July 17 to negotiate a long-term deal.

The Cowboys signed Ronald Jones in the offseason and also have Malik Davis and sixth-round 2023 pick Deuce Vaughn on the depth chart.

Starting offensive tackle Terence Steele, however, is still recovering from a torn ACL and won’t be on the field at OTAs or mini-camp. Steele started 13 games for the Cowboys prior to the injury and 40 of 45 since signing with the Cowboys in 2020.

–Field Level Media

Jan 16, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) breaks the tackle of Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (45) in the first half during the wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Cowboys RB Tony Pollard signs franchise tender

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Newly minted starting running back Tony Pollard signed his franchise tender with the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, locking in his $10.091 million salary for 2023, ESPN reported.

Pollard and the Cowboys have until July 17 to negotiate a long-term deal.

Pollard’s 2022 breakout season ended with a bad leg break, but he’s expected to be full strength in time for the mandatory portion of offseason workouts.

Pollard, 25, ran for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns on 193 carries — all career highs — while splitting time in the Dallas backfield with Ezekiel Elliott in 2022.

However, the Cowboys released Elliott in a cost-cutting move on March 15.

The Cowboys agreed to terms on a one-year contract with veteran Ronald Jones earlier this week.

Pollard, a fourth-round draft pick in 2019, sustained a high ankle sprain and a fractured fibula late in the first half of the Cowboys’ divisional playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Ten days later he underwent “tightrope” surgery to provide stability to the injured ankle.

His fibula should return to full strength by late March.

–Field Level Media

Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Kansas City Chiefs running back Ronald Jones (2) against the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Cowboys reach deal with RB Ronald Jones

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Running back Ronald Jones has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys, ESPN reported on Tuesday.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed for Jones, who visited the Cowboys on Monday.

The Dallas backfield is in flux after the team released Ezekiel Elliott last week. Fellow running back Tony Pollard enjoyed a Pro Bowl season in 2022 before sustaining a leg injury, however he’s expected to be full strength in time for the mandatory portion of offseason workouts.

Jones, 25, was buried on the depth chart behind fellow running backs Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon last season with the Kansas City Chiefs. Jones finished with 17 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown in six games (zero starts).

Selected by Tampa Bay in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Jones has 505 carries for 2,244 yards and 19 touchdowns in 61 career games (25 starts) with the Buccaneers and Chiefs. He also has 77 catches for 593 yards and a score.

–Field Level Media

Jan 16, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) rushes the ball against Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards (32) in the first half during the wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys RB Tony Pollard leaves before halftime with ankle injury

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard was carted off the field late in the first half of Sunday’s divisional-round playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers with an ankle injury. The team said at halftime that he would not return to the game.

Pollard was hurt after catching a short pass and being tackled by San Francisco safety Jimmie Ward at the 49ers 18-yard line with 1:24 left in the second quarter. Pollard’s leg got trapped under the weight of Ward’s body.

Pollard rushed for 22 yards on six carries and caught two passes for 11 yards before the injury. He rushed for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns and had 371 receiving yards and three scores in 16 regular-season games, and another 77 yards rushing and 12 receiving in Dallas’ wild-card round win at Tampa Bay on Monday night.

San Francisco went into halftime with a 9-6 lead.

–Field Level Media

Dec 11, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys RB Tony Pollard to practice Wednesday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard will return to practice Wednesday, coach Mike McCarthy confirmed on Monday.

A first-time Pro Bowl selection this season, Pollard did not practice last week and sat out Thursday’s win against the Tennessee Titans with a thigh injury.

Pollard needs 12 yards in Sunday’s regular-season finale at Washington to reach 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his four-year career.

Pollard, 25, has rushed 186 times for 988 yards (5.3 average) and nine touchdowns in 15 games this season, adding 39 catches for 371 yards and three scores.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) warms up before the game against the Houston Texans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Titans QB Joshua Dobbs to start vs. Cowboys

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tennessee Titans quarterback Joshua Dobbs will make his first career NFL start in Thursday’s game against the visiting Dallas Cowboys, multiple media outlets reported.

Dobbs reportedly is getting the nod over rookie Malik Willis for Tennessee, which is without starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill due to an ankle injury.

As for the Cowboys (11-4), NFL Network reported running back Tony Pollard is expected to be inactive for Thursday’s contest. Pollard has been unable to participate in practice all week due to a thigh injury.

The Titans (7-8) can improve their record but risk injury while gaining no ground in playoff positioning until the Jan. 8 winner-take-all AFC South showdown with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Even if the Jaguars beat the Houston Texans on Sunday to improve to 8-8, and should Tennessee lose Thursday, the division title would still be on the line when the teams meet head-to-head.

Dobbs, 27, was signed by the Titans off the Detroit Lions’ practice squad on Dec. 21. He began the season with the Cleveland Browns, who parted ways with him after Deshaun Watson joined the roster following his 11-game suspension.

He appeared in six games with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2018 and 2020 seasons, completing 10 of 17 passes for 45 yards with one interception.

Dobbs returns to the state where he played in college at Tennessee from 2013-16 and threw for more than 7,000 yards.

Willis, 23, completed just 14 of 23 passes for 99 yards and two interceptions in Tennessee’s 19-14 loss to the Houston Texans last Saturday. He is completing just 50.8 percent of his passes for 276 yards with three picks in eight games this season.

Pollard, 25, sits 12 rushing yards shy of 1,000 for the season. Teammate Ezekiel Elliott has 829 yards and 11 touchdowns, including scores in eight consecutive games.

Pollard has a team-leading 12 total touchdowns (nine rushing, three receiving). The 2022 Pro Bowl selection was limited to nine carries for 19 yards last week, when the Cowboys rallied to beat the Philadelphia Eagles, and McCarthy said Malik Davis would see more reps in this week’s prep sessions.

Davis has 23 carries for 103 yards and one touchdown in 10 games this season.

Dallas is the top wild-card team in the NFC and maintains the slimmest hope of catching Philadelphia in the East division.

The Cowboys can win the NFC East if the Eagles lose their final two games and Dallas beats the Titans and Washington Commanders. Philadelphia (13-2) locks up the division and home-field advantage throughout conference playoffs with a victory Sunday against the New Orleans Saints (6-9).

–Field Level Media