Cowboys now have placed their franchise tag on RB Tony Pollard, per source. RB franchise tag is $10.09 million.

In 16 games, Pollard finished as the fantasy RB7 and had the ninth-highest per game average, all while playing in a timeshare with Ezekiel Elliott. Per PFF, he had the fourth-highest run grade and the ninth-highest receiving grade among running backs. Per Pro Football Reference, he led the league in yards after contact per attempt (2.6) and was 15th among running backs in rush attempts per broken tackle (17.5). In other words, he's really, really good. Early ADP has him going off the board as the RB13 in the early fourth round. Considering his age and 2022 finish, and the possibility that the Cowboys part ways with Ezekiel Elliott, he looks like a good value in the so-called "RB dead zone."

Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (thigh) will be inactive tonight against the Titans.

Related Players: Ezekiel Elliott, Malik Davis

NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo has called this a breakout game for Malik Davis, who the team is high on. Whether or not this hyperbole could be debated, but the Titans are sitting a ton of starters, so there could be something to his statement. Elliot is a locked-in RB2, regardless.

Tony Pollard is going to really have to show the Cowboys he can go tonight in his pregame workout. If not, they’ll exercise caution and sit him. Malik Davis would then see an increased role behind Ezekiel Elliott.

It's hard to say exactly what kind of a role Malik Davis would have tonight, but the Cowboys are 12.5-point favorites, so you have to wonder how long they'll keep Zeke in the game if that game script plays out. If Pollard sits, Elliot should be a confident RB2, but you would have to be in a desperate mode to play Davis in your Flex during Championship Week.

Jerry Jones on 1053thefan on Ezekiel Elliott (knee): “We are a better team when we’ve got him and got him available. Defenses are well aware, more than anybody of his impact and his availability. I’m glad to have him back, and it does look like he’s gonna be available (Sunday).”

Related Players: Tony Pollard

From the main man himself, it looks like Zeke will be available and, presumably, on the field for Sunday's action against the Vikings. The struggle continues for Tony Pollard managers, and neither can be considered an RB1 play if they're both on the field.

Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott is expecting to return vs. the Vikings after missing two games with a hyperextended knee. “I’m definitely very optimistic about this week. Barring any setbacks the next couple of days, I’m feeling good…I think I’m in a good spot.” He will wear a brace.

Related Players: Tony Pollard

The Cowboys have shown time and again that they are willing to run Zeke until his wheels fall off, much to the chagrin of Tony Pollard managers. If Elliott is indeed good to go, expect the team to revert back to the 1A/1B committee, which leaves both options closer to the RB2 range than the RB1 range.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on RB Ezekiel Elliott playing vs. Packers next week: "Yes, I expect Zeke back against Green Bay."

Related Players: Tony Pollard

With the Cowboys on bye in Week 9, Elliott has extra time to heal his knee sprain. That's upsetting for Tony Pollard's fantasy managers after the stud running back earned 131 rushing yards and three touchdowns in his first start of the season last week. Elliott will no doubt return as the 1A option if he is indeed good to go next week.

With the Cowboys expected to be without Ezekiel Elliott on Sunday vs. the Bears, Tony Pollard is in line to see significant work in his fourth career start. Malik Davis, Qadree Ollison may both be brought up Saturday from the practice squad; the Cowboys have had three RBs active each game so far.

It's been a while since Tony Pollard's most recent official start (12/20/2020), but the 18 touches and 132 scrimmage yards he accrued would be a nice fantasy boost here in Week 8, 2022. He is currently ranked as a top-ten option against a Bears defense that ranks 26th in aFPA to the running back position.

Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has a sprained knee and it doesn't look good for Sunday.

Related players: Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis

Hill reported that Elliott was not out at practice doing rehab during the media portion today as expected. If Zeke can't go, look for Pollard to have an increased workload with Dowdle and Davis perhaps getting some snaps behind him.

In his NFL Scouting Combine story, ESPN's Matthew Berry talked about RB Ezekiel Elliott. "...the internal thought in Dallas is that Zeke is still a legit RB1 and that an improved offensive line this season (and Zeke being fully healthy) will help a lot. You'll still see a lot of Tony Pollard, of course, but the expectation is Elliott still gets a ton of work in 2022, including all the goal-line action. At least for this season, the "death of Zeke's value as a fantasy RB1 narrative" has been overblown. If his current ADP holds, he'll be a value in drafts come August."

Monitor best ball rankings/drafts early and see if the Cowboys add o-line depth once free agency starts.