Player News
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Vander Esch recorded 60 tackles (32 solo) while adding a sack and a forced fumble over 10 games in 2020. The linebacker once again couldn't stay healthy, suffering a broken collarbone in Week 1 and then missing the final two games of the year with an ankle injury, but Vander Esch also wasn't as productive when he was on the field, and he only managed two games with double-digit tackles as his snap count was often limited. The Cowboys are bringing in a new defensive coordinator in Dan Quinn, which should help the unit's performance as a whole, but if LVE can't avoid landing on IR a couple times a year, a better scheme won't be enough for him to regain his 2018 form.
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Vander Esch (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Giants, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports. The 24-year-old will be sidelined for the second consecutive game to finish the regular season. The Cowboys will need to make the playoffs for Vander Esch to have a chance of returning to the field this season.
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Vander Esch (ankle) was unable to practice Wednesday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. Vander Esch suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 15, and coach Mike McCarthy said the injury would likely lead to a multiweek absence. Considering the linebacker hasn't practiced or played since, it's looking increasingly unlikely that he'll be able to shorten that timetable, though there are still two more practices left for Vander Esch to show progress before Sunday's game against the Giants.
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Vander Esch (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports. Coach Mike McCarthy indicated earlier this week Vander Esch could miss multiple weeks after suffering the high-ankle sprain Week 15, so it's no surprise he won't be suiting up. The 24-year-old could also be forced to miss the final game of the regular season next week. Joe Thomas could have an increased defensive role for the Cowboys.
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Coach Mike McCarthy does not anticipate Vander Esch will be able to suit up Week 16 against the Eagles with his high-ankle sprain, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. The Boise State product departed during the third quarter of Sunday's 41-33 win over San Francisco, and a subsequent MRI revealed Vander Esch sustained a multi-week injury in the form of a high-ankle sprain. As such, it wouldn't be a surprise if the 24-year-old proved unable to return over the remainder of the regular season. Should the Cowboys remain alive in the playoff hunt heading into Week 17, it's possible a quicker turnaround is contemplated for the star linebacker.
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4:03 pm ET / @SportsSturmBob Sturm
What is the prototype for the modern run-and-hit LB? Devin White 6'0, 237, 4.42 Leighton Vander Esch 6'4, 256, 4.6… https://t.co/fClFs5MAna
Completed Games
| WK | OPP | TK | SACK | INT | FF | DFR | DFTD | PDEF | FPTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | @LAR | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| *2 | ATL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| *3 | @SEA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| *4 | CLE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| *5 | NYG | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | ARI | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | @WAS | 9.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | @PHI | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | PIT | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | BYE | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 11 | @MIN | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | WAS | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | @BAL | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | @CIN | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | SF | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| *16 | PHI | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| *17 | @NYG | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| * indicates player did not play that week | |||||||||