Cowboys week nine rookie report: Tony Pollard sees more touches in offensive game plan

It seemingly took forever to see the Cowboys get back on the field following a bye week. Dallas played the last game of week nine, defeating the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. The 37-18 win completed a season sweep of the Giants for the third consecutive season.

Up next, the Cowboys welcome in the Minnesota Vikings for a Sunday Night Football clash inside AT&T Stadium on the primetime stage. The matchup pits two teams in the NFC battling for playoff positioning. Both teams will be looking to make a statement under the bright lights.

First though, we are going to look at how the rookies performed in week nine. After dropping a head-scratching game to the Jets, the Cowboys have knocked off two of their divisional foes.

Tony Pollard

The best rookie in the 2019 Cowboys draft class has been far and away Tony Pollard. The first-year back out of Memphis has provided the offense with a weapon as both a runner and a receiver. Kellen Moore went to the rookie early and often on Monday night; unfortunately, Pollard struggled.

Still, Pollard showed some of what he can do when given opportunities. As our own Connor Livesay pointed out, Pollard had an impressive blitz pickup that allowed Dak Prescott to find his receiver.

All in all, Pollard carried the rock three times for 21 yards and caught one pass for nine yards. While he did have some mistakes early on, the rookie deserves a role in the offense moving forward.

Donovan Wilson

The Cowboys nearly traded for Jamal Adams, but things fell through. Xavier Woods has been a bright spot in the Cowboys secondary this season, earning NFC Player of the Week honors following his three-tackle, one forced fumble, and one interception performance versus New York.

Jeff Heath left the game on Monday with an injury, but it was Darian Thompson that filled in his absence. David Helman reports that Heath will be back at practice this week, but Wilson may have a chance to see some snaps in week 10.

Brandon Knight

Brandon Knight has been one of the more productive players of the Cowboys rookie class. The undrafted rookie out of Indiana has been an important piece of depth along the offensive line, filling in as a swing tackle on Monday night with Cameron Fleming sidelined.

Knight will be asked to fill in again with Fleming still out against the Minnesota Vikings, according to DMN’s Michael Gehlken:

First-round pick Trysten Hill and fellow rookie defensive lineman Joe Jackson were inactive.