As we feared after last night’s loss to the Rams, Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch suffered a broken collarbone and is going to be out for 6-8 weeks following immediate surgery. With Sean Lee also out until Week 4, this leaves the Dallas Cowboys very shorthanded at the LB position.
Vander Esch went out early in the game after reportedly jogging to the locker room. After Leighton’s offseason neck surgery and ongoing concerns there, we hoped that he may just be taking a precautionary measure.
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But not long after that report, it was confirmed that Vander Esch would not return to the game. At the very least, the injury won’t cost him the rest of the 2020 season.
However, Dallas is now going to have to figure some things out at linebacker. They currently have just Jaylon Smith, Joe Thomas, Justin March, and Francis Bernard (practice squad) healthy and ready to play.
Backup Luke Gifford has been banged up and was inactive last night, but hopefully he will be able to contribute next week against the Falcons.
With the new rules about injured reserve this season, Dallas will almost certainly place Leighton Vander Esch on IR. He would be eligible to return after three weeks but it sounds like Week 7 will be the earliest we can hope to see him back on the field.
Will the Cowboys be in the market for some linebacker help? Now that we’re into Week 2, they can sign a veteran and not have to guarantee his salary for the season.
With TE Blake Jarwin also going down last night and likely being lost for the year, Dallas should be busy this week retooling the roster.
