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Dallas Cowboys: 3 Players to watch vs. 49ers in Preseason Week 1

By Randy Gurzi

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with teammates after scoring a 29 yard touchdown in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with teammates after scoring a 29 yard touchdown in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Dallas Cowboys
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 01: Trysten Hill #9 of the UCF Knights takes down Tony Pollard #1 of the Memphis Tigers for a loss of two yards during the first quarter of the American Athletic Championship at Spectrum Stadium on December 01, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

3. Tony Pollard, Running Back

With Ezekiel Elliott holding out, the Cowboys went out and signed Alfred Morris who was with them back in 2016 and 2017. Morris isn’t there to replace Zeke, but he’s shown in the past he can get the job done when called upon. And until Elliott returns, Morris will be the starter but he won’t be alone in the backfield.

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Dallas is likely to try and get rookie fourth-round pick Tony Pollard on the field as much as possible. The speedy back was able to line up at both running back and receiver while at Memphis and should have the same versatility in the NFL.

Last season, the Cowboys didn’t have any great options behind Elliott as Rod Smith took a step back in his production. Pollard’s role is to make sure there’s someone who can provide a spark when they do go to their backup.

On Saturday, it will be interesting to see how much Pollard is utilized. While no team shows their full hand during the preseason, we can at least see if Pollard can make plays at the NFL level. We’ll also potentially see if the Cowboys plan on using him as a returner, which is something else he did very well for the Tigers.

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