'Time is now' for Cowboys running back Tony Pollard

Tony Pollard takes his first strides as the Dallas Cowboys‘ sole lead running back on Sunday night against the New York Giants. It’s a contract year for the former fourth-round pick and in keeping with the Cowboys’ season mantra, he’s ready to seize everything.

“I’ve been ready for this moment,” Pollard said this week, via DallasCowboys.com. “The time is now.”

Pollard is ready to confront the challenge of being the Cowboys’ lead man just eight months removed from two major leg injuries.

With surgery and rehab in the rearview mirror, he’s excited to prove his worth to the team that drafted him. The 26-year-old running back is playing this season on a one-year franchise tag deal, netting him roughly $10.1 million.

“A lot of opportunities, a lot of touches and a lot of involvement in the game,” he said of being RB1. “I’m ready to make an impact. I’m good. Physically, mentally and emotionally, I’m good and ready to go.”

Pollard hoping to showcase improved pass pro

To make an even bigger impact than he did last season, during which he posted over 1,000 rushing yards, Pollard told reporters he focused on his pass protection to help the offensive line protect Dak Prescott even better this season.

“It’s critical to the success of the team and to the offense, making sure the RB, QB and O-line are on the same page with protections and pickups,” Pollard said. “We’ll have extra meetings on the sideline to make sure we see things the same, that we’re all [identifying] it all the same so that we’re on the same page.”

On top of the extra mental work, the former Memphis Tiger has also brought his body back to where it was before it was when he suffered his postseason injury.

“A lot of conditioning, more work on endurance and working on my stamina, being able to be in there a little while longer,” Pollard described. “I’m just trying to make sure I’m still explosive and that I have my power, and all of that. … Working with Britt (Brown) on the bands this summer, in the heat and blazing sun. Running sprints and metabolics and doing a lot of different things.”

The Cowboys and Giants kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday. Last season, Pollard rushed for 105 yards on 13 carries during the divisional rivals’ first matchup. In the second, he posted 60 yards on 18 carries.