Cowboys running back Tony Pollard provides health update to begin training camp

Opening up training camp on Wednesday with the Dallas Cowboys, running back Tony Pollard said he’s “pretty much” back after suffering a high-ankle sprain that required surgery, as well as a broken fibula, at the end of the 2022 season.

“I’m feeling pretty good right now, pretty much at 100 percent,” Pollard said, via Jon Machota. “At this point, it’s just on me and the trainers, communicating, being smart, not rushing anything, not getting out there and going full speed too early. Just easing back into it.”

Pollard finished 2022 as the team’s leading rusher with 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career as well, though he wasn’t able to participate due to his injury.

With Ezekiel Elliott being released this offseason, more touches are coming Pollard’s way. The Cowboys failed to reach an agreement on a long-term contract, but kept him on the roster by using the franchise tag. He is now going to receive $10.1 million, fully guaranteed, for the 2023 season.

Jerry Jones commented on Pollard’s tag at the opening press conference of training camp on Tuesday.

“The franchise tag, when I think of it, probably fit that situation really well,” Jones said. “I think it does its job when I look at the entire team with what you have to do with the distribution process. In this case, I think it worked well for Tony. That’s a lot of money. I think it’s going to help with us putting this team together this year.”

Another piece of good news for Dallas – right tackle Terence Steele is also back for training camp. He’ll work his way in at his own pace after tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 14 last season.

Cowboys place Lewis, Schoonmaker on PUP/NFI

With training camp set to begin Wednesday, the Dallas Cowboys have placed cornerback Jourdan Lewis on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, the team announced. Additionally, rookie tight end Luke Schoonmaker was put on the non-football injury (NFI) list.

The move to put Lewis on the PUP list is no surprise after he suffered Lisfranc injury in Week 7 of this past season. He just recently started running again in the past few weeks. The Cowboys can activate Lewis from the PUP list at any time during training camp and the preseason. If Lewis doesn’t hit the active roster before the start of the regular season, the team would have to wait until after Week 4.

A former third-round pick out of Michigan, Lewis has started 30 of the 37 games he appeared in over the past three seasons. He posted career highs with three interceptions, 11 passes defended and 61 tackles in 2021 to go along with 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.

Schoonmaker, whom the Cowboys selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, has been dealing with a foot injury he suffered in college. The same rules that apply to the PUP list also apply to the NFI list, though it is expected that Schoonmaker will be available to start the season.

Also a Michigan product, the tight end had his best season in 2022 finishing with 35 catches for 418 yards and three touchdowns while helping the Wolverines to a Big Ten Championship. He will battle with Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot for reps.

On3’s Chandler Vessels contributed to this report.