The Dallas Cowboys have been phenomenal in the regular season over the last three years. However, the team’s consistency has also filtered into the postseason, with early playoff exits in these seasons. The franchise decided to give head coach Mike McCarthy another chance by not sacking him.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was also scrutinized for his role, but they would be patient in his case as well. Running back Tony Pollard is set to become a free agent soon on the franchise tag. While his future remains uncertain, the team’s linebacker, Micah Parsons, decided to back him up.
Micah Parsons wants Tony Pollard at Cowboys next season
Micah Parsons is vocal about the changes he believes the Cowboys could make to propel the team to playoff success in 2024. Besides his banter with Stephen A. Smith during the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game festivities, Parsons expressed his desire for the Cowboys to retain Tony Pollard.
The LB highlights Pollard’s resilience in recovering from a catastrophic injury. Parsons is confident in the RB’s ability to bounce back, and has advocated for giving him another opportunity with the team.
“I would say toward the end of the season Tony Pollard was catching his rhythm again..I do think he’s an every-down guy.. he broke his fibula, tibia, something, that’s a catastrophic injury. You’re talking about a guy that’s really been off from that January, came back Week 1 but he didn’t really do a lot…. You saw him increase, like he even said, ‘I’m just now getting back to myself.’ I would give Tony Pollard another shot”, Parsons said via CBS Sports.
Parsons isn’t solely fixated on offensive additions to the squad. He also emphasized the need for defensive upgrades, particularly in size and physicality. During a conversation with team owner Jerry Jones at Super Bowl LVIII, the veteran advocated for acquiring a bigger linebacker and a formidable interior lineman weighing around 330 pounds.
Tony Pollard’s previous NFL season ruined by injuries
Tony Pollard’s troubles began in November 2019 when he suffered a knee injury during a game against the Buffalo Bills, forcing him to miss subsequent matchups. However, it was during the 2022 Divisional Round game against the San Francisco 49ers that his season took a more severe turn.
The veteran sustained a high ankle sprain and fractured his fibula following a tackle by 49ers defensive back Jimmie Ward. The injury necessitated surgery, which sidelined him for a significant portion of the season. He underwent a TightRope procedure for a Grade 3 Pedal Ankle (high) Sprain by January 22, 2023.
The football’s performance post-injury was noticeably impacted. While he managed to surpass the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the second consecutive season, his yards-per-carry average dipped from 5.2 to 4.0 compared to the previous year. His effectiveness in the passing game also diminished, with a career-low 5.7 yards per catch.
