Cowboys: Mike McCarthy offers worrying update on Leighton Vander Esch
On Sunday night, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch went down due to an apparent neck injury during the team's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. A bit of clarity emerged on Monday when head coach Mike McCarthy talked to the media. "Both C.J. (Goodwin) and Leighton, we're still collecting all the information," McCarthy told […]
On Sunday night, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch went down due to an apparent neck injury during the team's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. A bit of clarity emerged on Monday when head coach Mike McCarthy talked to the media.
"Both C.J. (Goodwin) and Leighton, we're still collecting all the information," McCarthy told reporters. "But definitely looks like they're potentially going into Injured Reserve."
That would knock out Vander Esch for at least four games. As for Goodwin, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported earlier on Monday the special teams ace is done for the season.
Vander Esch collided with teammate Micah Parsons late in the game while being blocked by left tackle Trent Williams. The veteran linebacker, who has dealt with a neck injury history since before he entered the NFL, was able to walk off the field under his own power.
The news is worrying because of his health more than anything else. Any player with a neck injury history who suffers an injury to the same area will always raise concerns well beyond football.
From a football perspective, this leaves the Cowboys in a desperate situation at linebacker. If placed on IR as expected, Damone Clark would be the only linebacker on the 53-man roster. Safety Markquese Bell has been forced to play linebacker but is clearly not a "natural" at the position.
Losing Vander Esch for an extended period is a major loss for Dan Quinn's defense. Not only does the team lack any sort of depth at the position but he's been the main communicator of the unit for a long time. Even if he isn't an elite linebacker, his play will be greatly missed in Dallas while he's away.
Surprisingly, McCarthy mentioned KaVontae Turpin "definitely has a chance" at practice this week despite reports of a high-ankle sprain that generally knocks out players for 4-6 weeks.
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