Cowboys provide injury update on running back Tony Pollard

The Cowboys received good news regarding their No. 2 running back on Friday. 

Tony Pollard, who missed last weekend’s game against the Washington Football Team with a foot injury, will be a game-time decision again this weekend against the New York Giants. He returned to practice on Thursday.

Per Jon Machota of The Athletic, he is improving each day after suffering a torn plantar fascia in Week 13.

“It’s definitely getting better,” Pollard said.

The injury is a painful ligament problem, one which players often need injections for prior to taking the field to play. It’s not uncommon for football players to suffer the injury, and some are sidelined as long as six weeks as a result.

Pollard has 602 yards and two rushing touchdowns on the season plus 31 receptions for 259 yards. He is averaging 5.6 yards per carry.

Cowboys top running back Ezekiel Elliott has a nagging knee injury, but he was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. He had 12 carries for 45 yards and a 15-yard reception for Dallas against Washington, picking up some of the slack in Pollard’s absence.

The Cowboys topped Washington 27-20 last weekend, and have another important NFC East game this weekend when they head to 4-9 New York. Dallas won the first meeting this year 44-20 and is firmly in control of the NFC East, and they currently sit a game back from having a first-round bye.

Cowboys release Thursday injury report

Did not participate — OT Tyron Smith (ankle), CB Kelvin Joseph (Illness)

Tyron Smith missed time earlier this year with a different ankle injury. He was injured again on Sunday against Washington when his leg got caught underneath left guard Connor McGovern in the third quarter.

Defensive back Kelvin Joseph is sick this week but it is not COVID-19 related.

Limited — RB Tony Pollard (foot), DE DeMarcus Lawrence (foot)

DeMarcus Lawrence had two tackles and two pass breakups in his return to action for the Dallas Cowboys. He missed 10 games with his foot injury.

Full participant — TE Sean McKeon (neck), RB Ezekiel Elliott (knee)

Sean McKeon was a full participant on Thursday as he continues dealing with a neck injury.

On3’s Nikki Chavanelle contributed to this report.