Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys RBs Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard expected to play vs. WFT

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 12/9/21

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy admitted Thursday afternoon that his two-headed backfield of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard is still banged up, but both players should be good to go for the team's Week 14 meeting against the Washington Football Team.

Mike McCarthy says Ezekiel Elliott’s improving from his knee injury. Tony Pollard suffered a foot strain on his 58-yard touchdown run in New Orleans. Mike McCarthy says both expected to play Sunday.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) December 9, 2021

It was reported in late November that the Cowboys were considering reducing Elliott's role while he deals with his knee ailment and were even thinking about sitting him out a game or two. That hasn't come to fruition yet, as Dallas has stumbled a bit since the calendar turned to November, losing three of its last five.

The Cowboys are still in first place in the NFC East with an 8-4 record, but four of their final five regular-season games are against divisional opponents. Dallas will take on the Washington Football Team — which trail the Cowboys by two games at 6-6 — at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday and play them again in Week 16.

Zeke, Pollard and company face the New York Giants (4-8) and Philadelphia Eagles (6-7) on the road in Weeks 15 and 18, respectively, and play the NFL-leading Arizona Cardinals (10-2) in Week 17.

Elliott leads the team in carries (173), rushing yards (765) and rushing touchdowns (eight), while adding 40 receptions for 230 yards and one touchdown through the air. Pollard is second on the squad in carries (107), rushing yards (602) and rushing touchdowns (two), while contributing 31 receptions for 259 yards as well.

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