For the first time since 2015, Ezekiel Elliott is not a member of the Dallas Cowboys’ backfield, and Fox Sports analyst Richard Sherman thinks it will have a negative effect on the club’s rushing attack. While many were quick to sing the praises of Tony Pollard heading into 2023, Sherman is not so confident that Pollard will be able to handle his role as Dallas’ No. 1 running back.

Sherman, who had a very successful career as an NFL cornerback and won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, said on Undisputed that Pollard would not be as effective this season without Elliott.

Last year, Pollard made his a trip to the Pro Bowl after racking up 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging a robust 5.2 yards per carry, making it easier for the Cowboys to cut ties with Elliott during the offseason.

However, through the first three games of this season, Pollard has not been quite as effective, averaging a much more modest 4.3 yards per carry. Of course, it’s still very early, and Pollard already has a 122-yard performance to his name from Week 1, but it remains to be seen if he can carry the load as the featured back all year long.

Sherman added that Pollard is nowhere close to the best version of Elliott, who made three Pro Bowls and earned a First-Team All-Pro selection during his seven-year run in Dallas. He also stated that Elliott’s down years were more productive than most halfbacks’ good years.

While Richard Sherman didn’t necessarily say Tony Pollard wasn’t a good running back, he did say that he thinks Pollard’s numbers will dip sans Elliott, and thus far, he has been fairly accurate.

Meanwhile, Elliott himself is logging 4.4 yards per attempt over his first three games with the New England Patriots.

Elliott will face his old team when the Patriots battle the Cowboys on Sunday.