Will the Dallas Cowboys have dynamic running back Tony Pollard given the quick turnaround until their Week 17 game against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football? Pollard was out of practice Monday and Tuesday with a thigh injury. If he can’t play in NFL Week 17, the Cowboys would hand over the lion’s share of their running back duties to veteran Ezekiel Elliott.
Ezekiel Elliott a Fantasy Football Must-Start Given Tony Pollard Injury
After Tony Pollard sat for the first practice of the week, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones claimed the team was “counting” on Pollard playing against the Titans. Though it’s possible the Cowboys are keeping Pollard out of practice as a precautionary measure given the short week, the team has a contingency plan in place.
According to Sports Illustrated, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy planned to have third-stringer Malik Davis as a featured player at the workout Tuesday. Davis, a rookie out of Florida, has 23 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown this season. With the Cowboys still not making Elliott a full-go with a knee issue, Davis would likely play an integral role Thursday if Pollard doesn’t suit up.
Since Elliott returned from injury in Week 11, Pollard had 83 carries for 367 yards and three touchdowns, while Elliott had 95 carries for 386 yards and seven touchdowns. Pollard has proven to be the better pass-catcher of the two, with 39 receptions for 371 yards and three touchdowns throughout the season.
“Zeke is a natural runner. He runs behind his pads; physical and I think Tony has just gotten better as a change of pace back and is real difficult out of the backfield with the ball in his hands,” Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said of trying to hold the Cowboys tandem in check, per AP’s Teresa Walker.
Pollard’s versatility makes him a stronger fantasy football play than any Cowboys running back in Week 17, but the thigh injury is worth keeping an eye on before you set your lineups this week.
