The Dallas Cowboys ensured that they would have running back Tony Pollard for at least one more year earlier this offseason. They placed their franchise tag on him, locking him in for at least the 2023 season.

While the Cowboys are sure they will have Pollard for the 2023 season, there were questions about when he would be able to get on the field. He suffered a gruesome lower leg injury during Dallas’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers during the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

The injury led to Pollard having to undergo surgery about four months ago after fracturing his fibula and suffering a high ankle sprain. Just a few weeks ago, it was reported that the injuries he sustained were career-threatening.

While the injury was considered severe, a recent update provides a lot of hope and optimism. Pollard was shockingly on the practice field during the Cowboys’ OTAs this week, which head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed.

However, it should be noted that the practices Pollard is taking part in are very low impact. The pace is very slow as McCarthy has made note to lower the intensity of things. He has been fined the last two years for violating the NFL’s rules about how intense offseason practices are, so he has adjusted this year.

Pollard’s participation in these walk-through-esque practices is certainly encouraging, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that he is 100 percent healthy. He likely has some work to do left in his rehab, but given how bad the injury was, knowing he was out on the field in any capacity has to make the Cowboys and their fans happy about his chances of playing in Week 1.

2022 was a career season for Pollard, who set multiple career highs. He ran the ball 193 times for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns, adding 39 receptions for 371 yards and three more scores. The franchise tender he signed has a base salary of $10.091 million, which is a nice raise but doesn’t include any long-term security.