Dallas Cowboys expect Tony Pollard, Terence Steele back in time for training camp

Dallas Cowboys executive vice president and director of player personnel Stephen Jones shared an update on the health of two key players on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Jones revealed that offensive tackle Terence Steele and running back Tony Pollard are both on track to get back on the field by training camp this summer.

Steele tore his ACL in mid-December. Filling in for him at right tackle after his injury was former All-Pro Tyron Smith, fresh off of his own major leg injury.

“He’s doing unbelievable with his rehab,” Jones said of Steele, via Michael Gehlken. “He’s done as well as anybody that we’ve ever had in terms of his rehab and his diligence. We don’t expect any hiccups there.”

Steele and Smith have contract negotiations coming up. Steele is a restricted free agent come March and Smith’s $17.6 million cap hit for 2023 will necessitate some contract re-working. Dallas converted parts of his salaries to bonuses several times over the last eight years, opening up cap space for use on other parts of the roster.

“The biggest takeaway from our meetings was you can’t have enough of these guys,” Jones said of the Cowboys’ offensive tackles, including 2022 first-rounder Tyler Smith.

Tony Pollard is on track for a full recovery this summer after undergoing surgery for a high-ankle sprain. He also fractured his fibula but it did not require surgery.

Pollard rushed for a career-high 1,007 yards while averaging 9.5 yards per catch on 39 receptions this season for Dallas. He also earned his first Pro Bowl bid.

Cowboys weighing 2023 franchise tag

The Cowboys have another week until the franchise tag deadline next Tuesday. With that in mind, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told ESPN’s Todd Archer at the scouting combine on Monday that the team will “probably” use the tag this year.

Dallas tagged tight end Dalton Schultz last season, costing them $10.93 million. However, the top candidate for the tag this year is Pollard. Due to his end-of-season injury, the Cowboys may want to hold off on a long-term deal, instead risking a lump sum on his health this season.

“We’re not afraid of the tag,” Jones said. “End of the day we’ll probably use it again this year.”

The Cowboys have until 4 p.m. ET on March 7 to sign a player on the franchise tag. Once a player signs, the team can still negotiate a long-term deal until July 15. To tag Schultz, the Cowboys would owe $13.1 million for next season. Pollard’s tag is much less at around $10.1 million.

In 2022, Schultz finished second on the team in receptions (57) and receiving yards (577). He also added 12 receptions, 122 yards and three touchdowns in two postseason games to go with his five regular season scores.