Dallas Cowboys Down 14-0; Tony Pollard Controversial FUMBLE at San Francisco 49ers: VIDEO

Dallas Cowboys Down 14-0; Tony Pollard Controversial FUMBLE at San Francisco 49ers: VIDEO

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard this week talked about how in last January's playoff game, him suffering a season-ending fractured fibula and a high ankle sprain in a loss to San Francisco - their second straight playoff defeat to the 49ers - "hurt'' ... in more ways that one.

Here in yet another rematch, this one in NFL Week 5 on "Sunday Night Football,'' the Cowboys are dealing with another sort of pain.

Pollard fumble

They found themselves down 7-0 after one quarter after having done nothing on offense ... but for a short gain on a run by Pollard at the end of the period that resulted in a fumble ... a controversial call ... and a Dallas turnover.

Here's what it looked like from here at Levi's Stadium ...

FUMBLE 🚨

Fred Warner punches it out of Tony Pollard’s hands and the Niners recover 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AVOXDDk8Pq

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 9, 2023

Fortunately for Dallas, the Cowboys' defense recovered fumble inside its own 5-yard line as Nickel CB Jourdan Lewis ended up with possession. But the hole still exists, and the field-position game is being lost. ... as proven by what happened soon after: Brock Purdy's 38-yard TD pass to George Kittle to give the Niners a 14-0 lead early in the second period.

Pollard spoke of last year's loss in a way that still applies now, as the 3-1 Cowboys try to play catch-up against the undefeated Niners.

“You’re so invested, you have so much invested into the season,” Pollard said. “You know you have goals, and you know who you want to be. It hurts once you get it cut short like that.”

Despite facing some tough defenses in the New York Jets and New England Patriots, Pollard has had a solid start to the season. The fifth-year running back, who's in his first season as the clear headliner, entered Week 5 having 73 attempts for 311 yards and three touchdowns through four games. While his average yards per carry is a bit down, his start considering where he was just a few months ago is pretty remarkable.

Sunday's game against the 49ers was to be the 2023 Cowboys' greatest test yet, and if they are to pass it, then they'll need Pollard at his best. ... and that hasn't happened so far.