As expected, the Cowboys are applying the franchise tag to RB Tony Pollard. That will cost the team $10.1 million on a one-year deal, if the two sides can't agree to a longer-term contract before the July 15 deadline. Pollard's anxiously anticipated breakout this past season made Dallas' move inevitable. There is still some question about whether the team also keeps RB Ezekiel Elliott around. Cowboys leadership has spoken as though that's the plan. And HC Mike McCarthy intimated in February that he split with former OC Kellen Moore because McCarthy wants a more run-leaning offense. The ankle injury that knocked Pollard out of the playoff loss to San Francisco isn't expected to affect his 2023 availability or contract negotiations with the Cowboys. You'll have to pay up if you want to draft him, though. Pollard's already going 13th among RBs in best ball ADP.
Though Tulane RB Tyjae Spears chose not to participate in the 40-yard dash at Sunday’s NFL Combine, he had a great day running through drills. Spears displayed his receiving skills and sudden cuts and solidified his status as an intriguing upside prospect. We’re excited to dig more into Spears in our upcoming Dynasty Fantasy Football Value series, previewing the entire 2023 rookie class.
QB Will Levis measured in at 6’4, 229 pounds at the NFL Combine. He passed on running the 40-yard dash, citing a turf toe injury that popped up in October. On the field, Levis’ performance gave evaluators another chance to see his effortless arm strength. The Kentucky star remains a likely top-10 NFL pick.
New Titans OC Tim Kelly is excited to expand TE Chig Okonkwo's role in 2023. "We're gonna look to continue to grow his skills and his abilities so we can utilize him more," Kelly said from the Combine on Tuesday. "When the ball found him, he caught it. And he was good with the ball in his hands." Okonkwo finished his rookie campaign with 32 catches for 450 yards and 3 TDs. His underlying metrics scream big upside going forward. Okonkwo's 84.6 Pro Football Focus receiving grade and 2.61 yards per route run were both top 3 marks among 31 rookie TEs with 40+ targets over the past 10 seasons. Highlight his name as 1 of 2023's top breakout candidates at TE.
Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline hears that the Cowboys are looking to keep both RB Ezekiel Elliott and RB Tony Pollard on the team for 2023. The plan is to get Elliott to agree to a pay cut from the $16.7 million he's currently scheduled to make this upcoming season and then use the franchise tag on Pollard, which would pay him a little over $10 million in 2023. Elliott and Pollard split backfield work basically down the middle this past year, with Zeke averaging 15.4 carries and 1.5 targets per game to Pollard's 12.1 carries and 3.4 targets. Both guys' fantasy ceilings would be capped if they remain together in Dallas.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair his broken left fibula, ESPN's Todd Archer reports. "Should be full strength well before training camp," Archer adds. We'll keep an eye on Pollard's rehab, but this injury shouldn't impact his 2023 fantasy outlook. Pollard is set to hit free agency in March.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard fractured his left fibula in Sunday's Divisional Round loss to the 49ers, ESPN's Todd Archer reports. Pollard also reportedly suffered a high-ankle sprain, but the leg injury is the bigger concern. Archer notes that fractured fibulas normally require a 3-month recovery. That timetable would put Pollard back on the field by the end of April, so Pollard should at least be a full-go by the time training camp rolls around. It's unfortunate timing, though, with Pollard set to hit free agency in March.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard exited Sunday's Divisional Round game vs. the 49ers in the 2nd quarter after sustaining a nasty hit and didn't return. ESPN's Todd Archer reports that Pollard sustained a fractured left fibula that will require surgery with an estimated 3-month recovery period. This news certainly explains his emotion and putting a towel over his head while being carted off the field in an air cast during the contest. It remains to be seen how this will affect Pollard's impending free agency or impact his market of potential suitors. Pollard ended Sunday's contest with 6 rushes for 22 yards and 2 receptions for 11 yards.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard injured his left ankle in the 2nd quarter of Sunday's Divisional Round game vs. the 49ers and will not return. He was carted back to the locker room with an air cast on that left ankle. The FOX broadcast reports that Pollard has a high-ankle sprain. We'll see if he avoided a fracture. Regardless, he's unlikely to be available if Dallas advances to the NFC Championship.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard led the team in rushing with 77 yards on 15 carries in addition to hauling in all 3 targets for 12 yards as a receiver in Monday’s Wild Card win vs. the Buccaneers. Fellow RB Ezekiel Elliott logged 13 carries with 27 yards. The duo shouldered nearly even amounts of the rushing workload, but Pollard is the one who looked considerably fresher. Next week’s matchup vs. the 49ers will present a difficult challenge. The 49ers’ defense ranks as the single-toughest matchup in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs this season and held the entire Seahawks’ offense to a mere 104 rushing yards on Saturday.
The Cardinals are planning on trading WR DeAndre Hopkins this offseason, according to The Score's Jordan Schultz. Hopkins has 2 years and $34.4 million left on his current contract but is expected to angle for a new deal this offseason, per Schultz. Arizona, meanwhile, looks to be entering a rebuild phase after canning HC Kliff Kingsbury and losing GM Steve Keim. Hopkins turns 31 in June but remained effective this past year, posting a 64-717-3 line across 9 games. He ranked 9th among WRs in PPR points per game and 18th among 80 qualifiers in yards per route run.
Bengals WR Tyler Boyd left in the 2nd quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Ravens to be checked for a concussion. We'll pass along an update on his status when we get one.
Update: Boyd was cleared to return.
Titans WR Treylon Burks (groin) is active for tonight’s game vs. the Jaguars. He was added to the injury report on Wednesday and then didn’t practice on Thursday, so it’s tough to believe he’s at 100% for this one. Burks isn't a recommended play outside of Saturday and 1-game DFS contests.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (thigh) practiced fully all week and doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Week 18 vs. the Commanders. Pollard is once again a top-10 RB candidate for fantasy managers this week. Though the Commanders' defense ranks as the 2nd-worst matchup in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs over the course of the whole season, it's important to note that they're 30th in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA since Week 15. The matchup isn't nearly as bad for Pollard as season-long data would suggest.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (thigh) practiced in full for the 2nd straight day on Thursday. It looks likely that Pollard will be able to play in Week 18 vs. the Commanders. We'll monitor his situation in case something changes tomorrow.
Titans WR Treylon Burks (groin) did not practice on Thursday and carries a questionable injury designation ahead of Week 18 vs. the Jaguars. With QB Joshua Dobbs under center last week, the rookie wideout tallied 4 receptions on 8 targets for 66 yards. Not bad production, all things considered. The Jaguars' defense also ranks as the 10th-best matchup for WRs in adjusted fantasy points allowed this season. That said, it's tough to trust Burks too much in a matchup where the Titans are likely to lean heavily on RB Derrick Henry. Burks is a WR4/deep league flex consideration in Week 18.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (thigh) practiced fully on Wednesday. This is a good sign for his availability in Week 18 vs. the Commanders after missing last week's game. We'll be sure to watch out for any potential changes regarding Pollard's status.
Titans WR Treylon Burks (groin) was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday. We'll see if the rookie is able to work up to full participation tomorrow. Check back tomorrow for further clarity surrounding Burks' availability for Week 18 vs. the Jaguars on Saturday.
The Cardinals have already ruled WR DeAndre Hopkins (knee) out for this week. Without Hopkins last Sunday, TE Trey McBride and WR Greg Dortch tied for the lead with 25% target share apiece. WR Marquise Brown checked in 1 target behind them. Week 18, however, will find a much tougher defense in San Francisco. Check our Week 18 fantasy football rankings to see where everyone has landed.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (thigh) is expected back at practice on Wednesday, HC Mike McCarthy said. That should put Pollard on track to return for this weekend's regular-season finale vs. the Commanders. Dallas is still alive for the NFC East title, needing a win and an Eagles loss to the Giants.
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