Mike McCarthy reveals how Tony Pollard is taking command in Cowboys locker room

Ezekiel Elliott‘s release from the Cowboys deprived the team not only of a former league-leading rusher but also one of their top leaders heading into the 2023 season.

On Wednesday, Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy addressed how Tony Pollard, Elliott’s replacement as the top running back, is doing as he steps into the leadership role.

McCarthy said Pollard is doing an “excellent job,” and also extended credit to Zeke for the example he provided the former fourth-rounder over the last four seasons.

“Watching him assert himself more, he has a commanding presence,” McCarthy said at Cowboys minicamp. “I think he’s done an excellent job with the younger players. Tony always asks excellent questions. Tony has a really good feel of how things fit together.

“The locker room is the locker room… Zeke was a tremendous teammate and example for those guys too, I think if Tony was standing here, Tony would compliment Zeke for showing him the right way.”

McCarthy credits ‘cool’ Cowboys running back room

After releasing Elliott, the Cowboys added free agent Ronald Jones to the room. Then, they also drafted running back Deuce Vaughn and signed undrafted rookie fullback Hunter Luepke. McCarthy likes how the room is taking shape – led by Tony Pollard and new running backs coach Jeff Blasko.

“That’s a cool room,” McCarthy said. “They all really see the opportunity in front of them. Tony has a lot of natural leadership. We’re asking more of a running back position in terms of responsibility.

“We’ve taken a first-year approach offensively. He’s chomping at the bit to get out there physically. I really like the young guys. I just really like how the group has approached it. They’ve all been on top of their Ps and Qs. (Jeff) Blasko brings a different outlook.”

After practicing at OTAs in a limited fashion, Pollard told reporters that he’s “ahead of schedule.” He suffered a high ankle sprain and fracture in the postseason.

“Right now, I’m feeling really good about where I am — a little bit ahead of schedule,” Pollard said on Thursday, via the team website. “Being able to get out there for the walkthrough parts and to be out there with the team, get out there and get my feet wet. I’m not really limited at this point. It’s just [about] being smart with it. Just trying to work my way back in slowly and make sure I’m in tip-top shape so there’s not a fall-off.”