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Tony Pollard

This article is about the running back. For other uses, see Anthony Pollard (disambiguation).

Tony Pollard
refer to caption
Pollard with the Tennessee Titans in 2024
No. 20 – Tennessee Titans
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1997-04-30) April 30, 1997 (age 27)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:209 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Melrose
(Memphis, Tennessee)
College:Memphis (2015–2018)
NFL draft:2019 / round: 4 / pick: 128
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Rushing yards:4,700
Rushing average:4.6
Receptions:217
Receiving yards:1,557
Return yards:1,500
Total touchdowns:32
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Tony Randall Pollard (born April 30, 1997) is an American professional football running back for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Memphis, and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft.

Early life

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Pollard attended Melrose High School in Memphis, Tennessee, where he played high school football. As a senior, he was a two-way starter at wide receiver and cornerback on the high school football team.[1] He helped the team reach the playoffs, while amassing over 1,200 receiving yards, 20 touchdowns and being named All-District 16-AAA.[2]

College career

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2016 season

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Pollard accepted a football scholarship from the University of Memphis. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in 13 games, of which he started seven. He registered 29 receptions for 298 yards (10.3-yard avg.), 31 carries for 159 yards (5.1-yard avg.) and three touchdowns.[3] He finished among the national leaders in kickoff return average (28.1 yards). He had two returns for a touchdown and was named the American Athletic Conference's Special Teams Player of the Year.[4]

2017 season

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As a sophomore, he posted 36 receptions for 536 yards (14.9-yard avg.), 30 carries for 230 yards (7.7-yard avg.) and six touchdowns.[5] He led the nation with a school-record 40-yard average per kickoff return (22 for 881 yards) and four returns for touchdowns. He repeated as the AAC's Special Teams Player of the Year.[6]

2018 season

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As a junior, even though he shared the backfield with Darrell Henderson, he totaled 78 carries for 552 yards (7.1-yard avg.), 39 receptions for 458 yards (11.7-yard avg.), ten touchdowns with one kickoff return for a touchdown.[7] In the 2018 Birmingham Bowl against Wake Forest, he recorded 318 all-purpose yards (209 on kickoff returns) and one rushing touchdown.[8]

Pollard was considered one of the best kickoff return specialists in college football, tying a FBS record with seven career kick-return touchdowns, 87 kickoff returns (second in school history), 2,616 kickoff return yards (second in school history), 30.1 kick-return average (school record) and 4,680 all-purpose yards (second in school history).[9] On January 11, 2019, Pollard declared for the 2019 NFL draft.[10] Just six days later, on January 17, 2019, Pollard was added to the 2019 North Senior Bowl roster.[11]

College statistics

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Season Team Pos GP Rushing Receiving Scrimmage
Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
2015 Memphis WR 0 Redshirt Redshirt
2016 Memphis WR 13 31 159 5.1 1 29 298 10.3 2 60 457 7.6 3
2017 Memphis RB 13 36 536 14.9 2 30 230 7.7 4 66 766 11.6 6
2018 Memphis RB 14 78 552 7.1 6 39 458 11.7 3 117 1,010 8.6 9
Career 40 106 1,153 10.8 6 137 1,080 7.9 12 243 2,233 9.2 18

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+5⁄8 in
(1.82 m) 		210 lb
(95 kg) 		30 in
(0.76 m) 		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		 4.41 s 1.53 s 2.55 s 4.37 s 7.00 s 36.5 in
(0.93 m)		 10 ft 5 in
(3.18 m)		 18 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[12][13]

Dallas Cowboys

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Pollard with the Cowboys in his rookie season.

2019 season

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Pollard was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (128th overall) in the 2019 NFL draft.[14]

Pollard had 13 carries for 24 yards in his NFL debut in Week 1 against the New York Giants in the 35–17 victory.[15] During Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins, Pollard posted his first career 100+-yard game as he finished with 103 rushing yards on 13 carries and a touchdown as the Cowboys won 31–6.[16] During Week 15 against the Los Angeles Rams, Pollard finished with 131 rushing yards on 12 attempts, including a 44-yard touchdown as the Cowboys won 44–21.[17] Overall, in his rookie season, he finished with 86 carries for 455 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go along with 15 receptions for 107 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[18]

2020 season

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Pollard continued his role as a backup to Ezekiel Elliott to go along with some kickoff return duties in the 2020 season.[19] In Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers, Pollard recorded 132 yards from scrimmage and two rushing touchdowns during the 41–33 win.[20] Overall, he appeared in all 16 games, of which he started two, in the 2020 season. He finished with 101 carries for 435 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to go along with 28 receptions for 193 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[21]

2021 season

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Pollard playing against the Washington Football Team in 2021.

In Week 2, against the Los Angeles Chargers, Pollard totaled 137 scrimmage yards in the 20–17 victory.[22] In Week 5, against the Giants, Pollard totaled 103 scrimmage yards in the 44–20 victory.[23] Pollard finished the 2021 season with 130 carries for 719 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go along with 39 receptions for 337 receiving yards in 15 games.[24]

2022 season

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In Week 5, against the Rams, Pollard had a 57-yard rushing touchdown.[25] In Week 8, against Chicago Bears, Pollard had 13 carries for 141 yards and three rushing touchdowns in the 49–29 win, and was named Ground Player of the Week.[26] In the following game, against the Green Bay Packers, he had 22 carries for 115 rushing yards and a touchdown.[27] In Week 11, Pollard had 80 rushing yards, and six catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns in a 40–3 win over the Minnesota Vikings, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week.[28] In Week 13, he had two rushing touchdowns in a 54–19 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.[29] He had a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in the next game, a 27–23 victory over the Houston Texans.[30] He finished the 2022 season with 193 carries for 1,007 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns to go along with 39 receptions for 371 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in 16 games and four starts.[31] He was named as a Pro Bowler.[32] During the Divisional Round against the 49ers, Pollard suffered a high ankle sprain and fractured fibula in the second quarter when 49ers defensive back Jimmie Ward landed on his ankle while making the tackle. Pollard was carted to the X-ray room with an air cast on his leg, and later underwent surgery to repair the injury.[33]

2023 season

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On March 6, 2023, the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Pollard.[34] He scored two touchdowns in a Week 1 victory over the Giants.[35] In Week 3 against the Cardinals, he had 23 carries for 122 yards in the loss.[36] Overall, in the 2023 season, Pollard had 252 carries for 1,005 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns to go with 55 receptions for 311 receiving yards.[37]

Tennessee Titans

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2024 season

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Pollard signed a three-year deal with the Tennessee Titans on March 14, 2024, and was named the starting running back for the 2024 season.[38]

Pollard had 16 carries for 82 yards and one touchdown in his Titans debut in a 24–17 Week 1 loss to the Chicago Bears.[39] In a 24–17 Week 2 loss against the New York Jets, he had 17 carries for 62 yards and five catches for 40 yards.[40] In a 31–12 Week 4 victory over the Miami Dolphins, he rushed 22 times for 88 yards and one touchdown.[41] In a 20–17 Week 6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, he had 17 carries for 93 yards and one touchdown.[42] Pollard appeared in 16 games, although started missing snaps later in the season due to an ankle injury.[43] He nonetheless finished with 260 carries for a career high 1,079 rushing yards and five touchdowns, and 41 receptions for 238 receiving yards.[44]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Kickoff return Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2019 DAL 15 0 86 455 5.3 44 2 15 107 7.1 21 1 14 245 17.5 30 0 1 1
2020 DAL 16 2 101 435 4.3 42 4 28 193 6.9 30 1 32 766 23.9 67 0 0 0
2021 DAL 15 0 130 719 5.5 58 2 39 337 8.6 32 0 17 489 28.8 100 1 2 0
2022 DAL 16 4 193 1,007 5.2 57 9 39 371 9.5 68 3 — — — — — 0 0
2023 DAL 17 17 252 1,005 4.0 31 6 55 311 5.7 60 0 — — — — — 3 1
2024 TEN 16 16 260 1,079 4.2 41 5 41 238 5.8 30 0 — — — — — 3 1
Career 95 39 1,022 4,700 4.6 58 28 217 1,557 7.2 68T 5 63 1,500 23.8 100 1 6 2

Postseason

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Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Kickoff return Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2021 DAL 1 0 4 14 3.5 8 0 2 12 6.0 10 0 2 50 25.0 32 0 0 0
2022 DAL 2 0 21 99 4.7 18 0 5 23 4.6 8 0 – – – – – 0 0
2023 DAL 1 1 15 56 3.7 11 1 7 29 4.1 9 0 – – – – – 0 0
Career 4 1 40 169 4.2 18 1 14 64 4.6 10 0 2 50 25.0 32 0 0 0

References

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  1. ^ "Tony Pollard, Memphis , All Purpose Back". 247Sports.com. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  2. ^ "Prep insider: All-district 16-AAA football teams". www.commercialappeal.com. November 12, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  3. ^ "Tony Pollard 2016 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  4. ^ Schad, Tom (November 30, 2016). "Tony Pollard is AAC special teams player of the year; Five other Tigers earn all-conference honors". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  5. ^ "Tony Pollard 2017 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  6. ^ "2017 American Athletic Conference Football Postseason Honors". theamerican.org. November 29, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  7. ^ "Tony Pollard 2018 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  8. ^ "Birmingham Bowl – Memphis vs Wake Forest Box Score, December 22, 2018". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  9. ^ "Tony Pollard – 2018 – University of Memphis". gotigersgo.com. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  10. ^ Barnes, Evan (January 12, 2019). "Memphis football's Tony Pollard declares for the NFL Draft". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  11. ^ Kuhn, Gabe (January 17, 2019). "Memphis' Tony Pollard added to Senior Bowl Roster". underdogdynasty.com. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  12. ^ "Tony Pollard Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  13. ^ "Tony Pollard, Memphis, WR, 2019 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  14. ^ "2019 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  15. ^ "New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys – September 8th, 2019". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  16. ^ "Prescott, Cowboys get out of funk, ease past Dolphins 31–6". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 22, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  17. ^ "Cowboys render coin toss mix-up moot, throttle Rams 44–21". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  18. ^ "Tony Pollard 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  19. ^ "2020 Dallas Cowboys Statistics & Players". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  20. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys – December 20th, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  21. ^ "Tony Pollard 2020 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  22. ^ "Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Chargers – September 19th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  23. ^ "New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys – October 10th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  24. ^ "Tony Pollard 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  25. ^ "2022 NFL season, Week 5: What We Learned from Sunday's games". NFL.com. October 9, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  26. ^ "Updates: Tony Pollard Wins Weekly RB Award". Dallas Cowboys.com. November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  27. ^ "Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers – November 13th, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  28. ^ Gordon, Grant (November 23, 2022). "Cowboys RB Tony Pollard, Chiefs TE Travis Kelce highlight Players of the Week". NFL.com.
  29. ^ "Indianapolis Colts at Dallas Cowboys – December 4th, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  30. ^ "Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys – December 11th, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  31. ^ "Tony Pollard 2022 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  32. ^ "2022 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  33. ^ Archer, Todd (January 24, 2023). "Source: RB Pollard undergoes surgery for ankle". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  34. ^ Eatman, Nick (March 6, 2023). "Cowboys Place Franchise Tag on Tony Pollard". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  35. ^ "Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants – September 10th, 2023". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  36. ^ "Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals – September 24th, 2023". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  37. ^ "Tony Pollard 2023 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  38. ^ Wyatt, Jim (March 14, 2024). "Titans Agree to Terms With RB Tony Pollard". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  39. ^ Wyatt, Jim (September 8, 2024). "Six Things That Stood Out for the Titans in Sunday's Loss to the Bears". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  40. ^ "Titans-Jets Week 2 Postgame Notes". TennesseeTitans.com. September 15, 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  41. ^ "Titans-Dolphins Week 4 Postgame Notes". TennesseeTitans.com. September 30, 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  42. ^ "Titans-Colts Week 6 Postgame Notes". TennesseeTitans.com. October 13, 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  43. ^ Suss, Nick (January 1, 2025). "As Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears deal with injuries, what are Tennessee Titans options at RB?". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  44. ^ "Tony Pollard 2024 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
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