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.
Lightning’s Charle-Edouard D’Astous’ immediate reaction to scoring first NHL goal
The Tampa Bay Lightning have already celebrated milestones this year, such as Nikita Kucherov joining the 1,000-point club. On Tuesday night, the team celebrated another major moment in an NHL career.
Charle-Edouard D’Astous scored a goal for the first time in his NHL career, helping in a 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators during Frozen Frenzy.
“The last week has been pretty nice for me since I’ve been here. I’m just trying to help the team to win, and I know I have good poise defensively, I can bring some offense, and it’s nice to be rewarded,” D’Astous said to the media through a smile after the game.
In the third period of the game against the Predators, with the Lightning already leading 2-1, D’Astous took a pass from Brayden Point on the break, beating Juuse Saros. It not only made the game 3-1, but proved to be the game-winning goal.
The contest also saw Anthony Cirelli reach the 300-point marker in his career on an assist in the second period. He would add another assist later in the game, placing him 12th in franchise history in points with 301.
D’Astous was signed out of the SHL in Sweden following a solid season with Brynas IF. He made his NHL debut against the Anaheim Ducks on October 25th. The Canadian-born defender has played in three games so far this year. His only point is the goal on Tuesday night. He has also seen his ice time increase during his three games, reaching a season high of 17:11 in the win.
“If you look game one through game three, I’ve only played three games but I think every game just got better. I feel like I deserve to be here and I can easily play with everyone in this league,” D’Astous said. “So yeah, I’m just getting better and better every night, so I think it’s just getting easier for me.”
The rookie blue liner will look to continue his first NHL campaign strongly on Thursday night. The Lightning are now 4-4-2 on the season after winning three games in a row, and they’ll look to make it four when the 6-3-1 Dallas Stars come to town.
