Giants have admiration for Cowboys rookie RB Tony Pollard - but they're readying for Ezekiel Elliott

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys have to prepare as if Ezekiel Elliott won't play this weekend. The New York Giants? They still sort of have to prepare as if he will.

As the clock ticks to "The Midnight Hour,'' Sunday's showdown between the Giants and star running back Saquon Barkley and the Cowboys and star running back Elliott might not happen.

Giants head coach Pat Shurmur is ready for that to change (as is Cowboys Nation). He said the Giants are “getting ready for (Elliott) to be there.''

But if not? New York is studying up on Cowboys fourth-round rookie Tony Pollard, too.

"He’s had an impact as a rookie,” Shurmur said at Monday’s press conference. “We actually liked him during the draft. We had him on our board in a prominent position. But he’s done a good job. He’s fast. He has really good instincts. He has good collision balance. He can catch the ball. He’s got what you’re looking for in a runner. It appears from what I’ve seen on tape and from what they’re saying that they’re really fond of what he’s done so far.”

All those things that the Giants think about Pollard? They're true; the Cowboys think the same. That doesn't mean the Cowboys don't have a preference, of course; a "Midnight Hour'' appearance from Zeke would be a buoy.

Meanwhile, as much as Shurmur likes Pollard, the same issue exists for the Giants, who would much prefer Elliott stays sidelined this weekend ... and for that matter, given their NFC East rivalry, for 16 total weekends.