Cowboys Urged to Trade for Reunion With 1,000-Yard Rusher
When it comes to putting together potential trades for the Cowboys as the NFL deadline for deals approaches, it makes sense to add to what has been a terrible defense, a unit that ranks second-to-last in points allowed and yards allowed. The Cowboys need cornerback and safety help, they need linebacker help, they need pass-rush help and they need defensive line help. That’s pretty much every unit on the D covered.
But there is a chance that the Cowboys could add to their already potent offense, and instead of bringing in better personnel on defense, simply lean into their strength. The team lost RB2 Miles Sanders to knee and ankle injuries, and they’re in need of a change-of-pace guy behind Javonte Williams.
The Cowboys have had some nice change-of-pace options in the recent past, and while getting back Rico Dowdle is out of the question, they could trade to reunite with one of their better RB1/2s from recent years: Tony Pollard.
Cowboys Could Use a Backup RB
That’s the notion from the Dallas Morning News and writer Joseph Hoyt, who pegs Pollard as the last on his list of potential Cowboys trade targets for next Tuesday. While the list features the expected two linebackers and two edge rushers, it also features two running backs to replace Sanders.
One is Jets star Breece Hall, who could be available because he is a pending free agent on a rebuilding team. But Hall is good enough to likely require a significant outlay of draft assets, which the Cowboys would be unwilling to do for a backup runner. “This could be a rental with the hopes of a compensatory pick in the future. It would certainly help in the meantime, however,” Hoyt notes.
As things stand, the Cowboys’ top backup for Williams is rookie Jaydon Blue, who has struggled to make an impact this year. He has made just 22 carries for 65 yards in four games thus far.
Tony Pollard ‘Was Excellent in Dallas’
But as for Pollard, the Titans are going nowhere and need a major roster overhaul. Pollard bolted Dallas for a three-year, $21 million contract in Tennessee after first serving as a combo with Ezekiel Ellliott and then getting the starting job to himself. Pollard ran for 1,007 yards in 2022 and 1,005 yards in 2023 for Dallas.
“Tony Pollard was excellent in Dallas when he spelled Ezekiel Elliott. Could he do the same for Williams? Just a thought,” Hoyt wrote on Wednesday.
Pollard is on the books for next season at more than $9 million, but that’s not guaranteed, and he could be cut after this year with just $2 million in dead cap, per Spotrac.
Chiefs Waive 4-Year Contributor After Reunion News
The Kansas City Chiefs finalized the expected Mike Pennel reunion on October 29, ahead of a Week 9 matchup with the Buffalo Bills, and it wasn’t long before an NFL insider relayed news of the corresponding roster cut.
“Chiefs signed NT Mike Pennel and waived DE Malik Herring,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday evening. It’s nothing new for Herring, who has seesawed on and off the Chiefs’ active roster for years.
Herring began his professional career as an undrafted prospect out of Georgia. His first action came during the 2022 season, and the veteran role player has since spent the past four years within the Kansas City organization.
In total, Herring has appeared in 32 games (including playoffs) for KC over the past four seasons. He has only registered 1.5 sacks during that span of time, along with 3 tackles for a loss and 6 QB hits.
Herring has also forced 1 fumble and recovered 1 fumble, separately, and has been credited with 1 pass breakup.
The former UDFA is not really much of a special teamer and has mostly rotated in on defense throughout his career. He has logged 450 defensive snaps compared to just 34 on special teams.
Assuming he clears waivers, it wouldn’t be surprising if Herring re-signs to KC’s practice squad later this week.
Mike Pennel Immediately Returns to KC After Chiefs Fail Miserably at Attempted Youth Movement
Pennel did not leave Kansas City by choice this summer. He was released at the 53-man deadline, and the Chiefs chose to go in a different direction following that decision.
The clear emphasis from general manager Brett Veach and the coaching staff was to get younger at defensive tackle in 2025, drafting Omarr Norman-Lott, while simultaneously bringing in fliers like Jerry Tillery, Brodric Martin, and Zacch Pickens.
The latter two remain on the practice squad, along with popular gameday elevation Marlon Tuipulotu, and Pennel will join Tillery, Chris Jones, and fellow veteran Derrick Nnadi on the 53.
So, the plan to get younger didn’t really stick, considering the Chiefs made moves to reacquire both Nnadi and Pennel after initially letting each walk.
Obviously, it’s always a goal to include forward-thinking in a GM’s roster-building mentality, but with Norman-Lott on the injured reserve, Kansas City had to call an audible. The future of their D-tackle room will return in 2026, but for now, the priority is winning another championship, and the Chiefs can’t afford to roster players who are learning on the job.
For that reason, Pennel is right back where he belongs. And Jones — his biggest vocal supporter — is no doubt pleased by that development.
Chiefs’ Defensive Line Will Face Tough Test in Week 9
Pennel’s return couldn’t come soon enough, as the Chiefs’ run defense will be tested in Week 9. In the past, Buffalo has had a run-and-gun offense with superstar Josh Allen pulling the strings, but the 2025 reiteration of the Bills is very run-heavy.
Former second-round pick James Cook is having a career year in 2025, rushing for 6.0 yards per carry and 107.6 yards per game. Those numbers just ballooned in Week 8, as Cook ran the ball 19 times for 216 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers — a yards per carry of 11.4 YPC.
So, to slow down this Bills’ offense in 2025, you must first slow down Cook. Then, on top of that, you also have to contain Allen, who can easily gash a defense on the ground.
Needless to say, it’ll be good to have an experienced run defender like Pennel in Week 9.
