The Washington Commanders are running out of time to sort out their backfield, and the trade deadline is almost here. Before November 10, they have to decide whether to buy, sell, or try to do a little of both.
If they decide to shop for help at running back, Tony Pollard looks like the cleanest fit.
Washington’s depth has been thinned badly. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is on injured reserve, Jeremy McNichols has now joined him, and that leaves Rachaad White and Austin Ekeler carrying the load. Craig Reynolds is still on the practice squad, while Robert Henry Jr. has been re-added.
Right now, the Commanders are leaning on two receiving backs without a true every-down hammer in the mix. Pollard could change that in a hurry.
He has been one of the league’s most underrated backs for years, and he is quietly on track for his fifth straight 1,000-yard rushing season. Pollard is doing it for a Tennessee Titans team that is headed nowhere, which makes him a natural name to watch if the Titans decide to deal.
His role in Tennessee has changed a lot from the early part of his career, when he was mostly a third-down option. Now he has become the bell cow, even though the Titans have basically taken him out of the passing game. Pollard has 133 rushing attempts and only 14 receptions this season.
Even with that limited receiving usage, he is still producing. And with Tennessee already having moved Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears, it would not be a surprise if the Titans were open for more business.
Pollard is in the final season of the three-year deal he signed in 2024, so Tennessee has every reason to see what it can get back for him.
For Washington, the appeal is obvious. It is still unclear how long Croskey-Merritt will be out, and even when he returns, there is no guarantee he jumps right back into a major role. The 2025 seventh-round success story remains part of the long-term picture, but the Commanders also have an NFC East title within reach right now.
Pollard would give them an experienced lead back who can handle any situation and still has enough left to matter. His age also suggests he should not cost much in a trade.
The offensive line in Washington does not make life easy for any runner, but if Pollard can produce in Tennessee, there is reason to believe he can do it in D.C. And if it does not work out, the Commanders would only be tied to him for half a season, giving general manager Adam Peters a quick exit if the fit is not right.
For a team looking to patch a real problem before the deadline, this is about as straightforward as it gets. If Washington is going to add a running back, Pollard should be the name at the top of the list.
In Other News...
Commanders Suddenly Have A Major Rams Injury Watch This Week
The Rams got a notable update this week when Myles Garrett returned to limited practice after left knee surgery, putting his status back on the radar as Washington prepares for the matchup. Sean McVay said the veteran would handle about half his usual practice repetitions, a sign Los Angeles is easing him back into the routine while keeping a close eye on how the knee responds.
For the Commanders, it adds another layer to a game plan that already had to account for a talented Rams front. Matthew Stafford sounded encouraged by Garretts progress toward playing, but the Rams are still treating the decision as a day-to-day evaluation, which leaves Washington waiting to see whether one of Los Angeles most disruptive defenders will be available when the teams meet. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A New Problem Up Front Before Rams Game
The Commanders Week 9 injury report brought a little more clarity before their matchup with the Rams, but it also underscored how thin things are getting up front. JerZhan Newton was a full participant after being limited last week as he continues working back from a torn pectoral muscle, while the rest of the report featured a mix of limited and absent players across the roster.
The bigger concern came with Shy Tuttle, who was limited because of a shoulder injury at a time when Washington is already trying to patch together its defensive front. Treylon Burks sat out with a foot issue after playing in the previous game, and Stefon Diggs was given a rest day, leaving the Commanders with a few moving parts to monitor as they head into a matchup that could test their depth early. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Get A Big Chance To Prove Last Week Was Real
The Commanders get a fresh measuring-stick opportunity at Northwest Stadium this week, with the Rams coming to Landover after Washingtons win over the Eagles turned a lot of heads. It is the kind of follow-up game that can tell you whether a breakthrough was a one-week jolt or the start of something sturdier, especially with Los Angeles also arriving off a victory of its own over the Chargers.
For Washington, the setting only sharpens the stakes. A home crowd, a quality opponent and a national spotlight on local FOX make this feel like more than just another Sunday afternoon, even if the broadcast crew is a familiar one for viewers. The Commanders do not need to make a statement to themselves so much as to everyone still wondering whether last week was the real thing. [Read more 🡒]