{"id":1342839,"date":"2023-03-06T13:52:46","date_gmt":"2023-03-06T17:52:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesportsdaily.com\/?p=1342839"},"modified":"2023-03-06T13:52:46","modified_gmt":"2023-03-06T17:52:46","slug":"nfl-news-dallas-cowboys-franchise-tag-rb-tony-pollard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesportsdaily.com\/news\/nfl-news-dallas-cowboys-franchise-tag-rb-tony-pollard\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL News: Dallas Cowboys Franchise Tag RB Tony Pollard"},"content":{"rendered":"

ESPN’s NFL<\/a> insider Adam Schefter is reporting that the Dallas Cowboys<\/a> are applying the franchise tag to 25-year-old running back Tony Pollard.<\/p>\n

Pollard, the Cowboys’ fourth-round (128th overall) pick from the 2019 NFL Draft will receive a $10.09 million salary for 2023.<\/p>\n

He had the first 1,000+ rushing yard season in 2022.<\/p>\n

Many view Pollard as the more explosive back of the Cowboys tandem that consists of Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott.<\/p>\n

Injury Ended Pollard’s Season<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Tony Pollard’s career-best 2022 season ended with a high-ankle sprain suffered during the Cowboys’ divisional playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.<\/p>\n

Pollard had a procedure in late January to repair ligament damage.<\/p>\n

According to ESPN, the procedure is known as a “TightRope” procedure because a braided polyethylene cord is used in lieu of surgical screws to allow the tibia and fibula to heal.<\/p>\n

Tua Tagovailoa and Ryan Tannehill have undergone similar procedures; Tua’s was done while he was at Alabama.<\/p>\n

Pollard is expected to be ready for training camp.<\/p>\n

Injury Affected Marketability<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Pollard’s injury affected his marketability and bargaining power with the Cowboys.<\/p>\n

It seemed very little doubt that the Cowboys would retain Pollard, and the franchise tag is the logical option and at the best cost for the Cowboys.<\/p>\n

The Cowboys are likely hesitant to go all-in with another lucrative running back contract since they are still dealing with the ramifications of the massive Ezekiel Elliott six-year $90 million contract.<\/p>\n

Elliott is 27 years old and his best performance remains his 2016 rookie season when he had 15 rushing touchdowns and over 1,600 rushing yards.<\/p>\n

Veteran Running Back Market Is Changing<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The marketability of the veteran running back is not what it once was.<\/p>\n

The Tennessee Titans are reportedly shopping former NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry who is 29 years old.<\/p>\n

26-year-old Saquon Barkley is on uncertain terms with the New York Giants and could end up a free agent in the coming days.<\/p>\n

During the 2022 offseason, the Cleveland Browns signed 27-year-old Nick Chubb to a three-year $36 million extension.<\/p>\n

The wear and tear on the running back’s body and the ever-present talent in college that is available at each year’s NFL Draft makes it likely that the days of long-term running back contracts are in the past.<\/p>\n

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