Ezekiel Elliott wishes Tony Pollard, Cowboys RBs 'good luck' via text - ESPN

OXNARD, Calif. — Before Wednesday's first practice of training camp, Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard received a text from a familiar number.

It was his former teammate, Ezekiel Elliott, the man he is replacing as the Cowboys' lead running back in 2023.

«Just telling all the running backs he knows we'll handle business, take care of everything and just good luck,» Pollard said. «It means a lot with his situation, not being anywhere, but him still checking on us and making sure we're all right.»

Elliott remains a free agent as training camps begin, although he has been working out the entire offseason, either with former teammates at Dak Prescott's backyard field or his personal running backs coach, Josh Hicks.

«I know it's frustrating for him [not being in a camp], especially with the way things are going now, but I know he's a tough guy mentally and physically,» Pollard said, «so I'm pretty sure he'll find a way to battle through it.»

Pollard is fully healthy as he comes back from surgery to repair a high-ankle sprain in the playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He will be cautiously worked in early in camp as a precaution.

«Right now I'm feeling pretty good, feeling pretty healthy,» Pollard said. «Just being smart with the trainers, not trying to push it too much. Just trying to ease back into things and go from there.»

Pollard had to contend with his own contract issue with the Cowboys placing the franchise tag on him, which he signed in March. While the Cowboys made a multiyear offer to him, the sides could not bridge the gap before the July 17 deadline.

After making $3.65 million in his first four years, Pollard will make $10.091 million on the tag this season.

«I mean everybody wants to get a deal done,