Cowboys RB Tony Pollard Breaks Leg in Divisional Playoff Loss to 49ers
News 1/23/23
Running back Tony Pollard fractured his left fibula in the first half of the Dallas Cowboys' season-ending loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, ESPN reported.
Surgery will be required to repair the break. The normal recovery timeline is 3-4 months.
Pollard left after catching an 8-yard pass from Dak Prescott with less than two minutes remaining before halftime. The injury occurred when 49ers safety Jimmie Ward rolled onto Pollard's ankle while making the tackle.
The Cowboys' offense seemed to have the life sucked out of it after losing its Pro Bowl running back.
"As soon as Tony Pollard went out, you kind of felt a little bit of energy leave their offense," said former NFL cornerback Ronde Barber and analyst for The 33rd Team. "Not that Dak and his receiving corps ... can't get the job done, but I felt this entire year that when Tony Pollard was really good, the entire Dallas offense was always in stride. It was definitely not like that after he got hurt at the end of the first half. Zeke Elliott was largely ineffective ... and was really kind of an afterthought."
Pollard, who had his most successful season as a pro, will be a free agent in March.