Source: Titans giving ex-Cowboys RB Tony Pollard 3-year deal - ESPN

The Tennessee Titans are giving former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard a three-year, $24 million deal, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday.

Pollard's arrival means that free agent running back Derrick Henry is unlikely to return after eight seasons with the Titans.

Pollard has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, but his march to 1,005 yards in 2023 was much more difficult than his Pro Bowl campaign in 2022, when he ran for 1,007.

Pollard, who turns 27 on April 30, had just one 100-yard game last season after posting four in 2022. He suffered a broken ankle in the 2022 playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers but was able to return for training camp and did not miss a game last season.

His production was steady, but the Dallas running game was not as productive as it had been in the past. He played last season on the $10.1 million franchise tag and never got close to signing a long-term deal with the Cowboys.

In his first three years, he was a backup to Ezekiel Elliott, although he steadily earned more playing time because of his ability to make big plays. Pollard had 31 runs of at least 10 yards in 2022, but just 21 last season.

Pollard is also solid as a receiver out of the backfield. He caught a career-high 55 passes in 2023 for 311 yards, after catching 39 passes for 371 yards and three scores in 2022.

Pollard's departure leaves the Cowboys without a lead running back, as top backup Rico Dowdle is also an unrestricted free agent. The Cowboys can look to free agency for help but do not want to pay large money at the spot after doing so on Pollard last year and Elliott before that. The draft could be the likelier option.

ESPN's Todd Archer contributed to this report.