JANUARY 5, 2021 • DALLASCOWBOYS.COM
LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH
30 TCKL •
0 INT •
0 SCK
30 TCKL
0 INT
0 SCK
Leighton Vander Esch: I'm On A Mission | Dallas Cowboys 2021
JANUARY 6, 2021 • YOUTUBE
Leighton Vander Esch: “I’m On A Mission” Leighton Vander Esch didn’t necessarily need to talk about his frustration or his determination, it could all be easily heard in his voice.
Defense figures to be focus as Cowboys miss playoffs again
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Won't play Week 17 Vander Esch (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Giants, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Impact 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.
JANUARY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
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Should Cowboys pick up Leighton Vander Esch’s option? Gil Brandt says no Should the Dallas Cowboys pick up Leighton Vander Esch's fifth-year option? The Dallas Cowboys seemingly found themselves a gem in Leighton...
DECEMBER 31, 2020 • THELANDRYHAT.COM
Not practicing to start week Vander Esch (ankle) was unable to practice Wednesday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
Impact Vander Esch suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 15, and coach Mike McCarthy said the injury would likely lead to a multi-week 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.
DECEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
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Officially out Week 16 Vander Esch (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Impact 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.
DECEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Cowboys, Eagles meet in altered states, close to elimination
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Expected out multiple weeks 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.
Impact 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.
DECEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Dealing with high-ankle sprain Vander Esch suffered a high-ankle sprain in Sunday's 41-33 win over the 49ers, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Impact Vander Esch underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed the extent of his injury. The Cowboys aren't ruling him out for the Week 16 showdown against the Eagles, but it's tough to see a way that he'll be at 100 percent for the critical divisional matchup. If he's out or limited in that game, Sean Lee will be the main beneficiary. Lee filled in at middle linebacker when Vander Esch exited Sunday.
DECEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Turnaround on turnovers helps Cowboys keep faint hopes alive
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NFL Today-Week 15
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Will undergo MRI on ankle Vander Esch is set to get an MRI on his injured ankle Monday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Impact The 2018 Pro Bowler stated postgame that he does not believe he suffered a broken ankle during Sunday's win over San Francisco, characterizing his injury as a high-ankle issue of some kind. An inability to stay on the field has plagued the 24-year-old linebacker, as he sat out seven games last season with a cervical neck stinger before going on IR in mid-September because of a broken collarbone. Joe Thomas would step back into the middle linebacker spot if Vander Esch were to miss additional time, just as he did Weeks 2 through 5 while amassing 33 tackles and a pair of pass breakups.
DECEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
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Battling ankle sprain Vander Esch suffered a sprained ankle in Sunday's 41-33 win over the 49ers, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
Impact Vander Esch went to the locker room in the third quarter after posting three tackles (one solo). Sean Lee came in as relief. Vander Esch has a lengthy history of injuries, and it'll be worth keeping an eye on his progress during the practice week ahead of next week's matchup against the Eagles.
DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Pollard scores 2 with Elliott out, Cowboys beat 49ers 41-33
Tony Pollard ran for two touchdowns with Ezekiel Elliott sidelined by an injury for the first time in the two-time rushing champion’s career, and the Dallas Cowboys beat the San Fr...DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hit with ankle injury Vander Esch (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against San Francisco, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Impact The 2018 Pro Bowler sustained his injury while assisting on a tackle of 49ers back Tevin Coleman at the 5:26 mark of the third quarter. Dallas has already endured four full games this season without the services of Vander Esch, and for now, Joe Thomas fills the 24-year-old's middle linebacker position.
DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Leads Dallas defense again Vander Esch recorded 12 tackles (four solo) in Sunday's win over the Vikings.
Impact He's picked up a dozen tackles in back-to-back games since the Cowboys' bye, and Vander Esch appears to be back in form after his early-season collarbone injury. He'll look to deliver another strong IDP performance in a Thanksgiving Day clash with Washington, who he also collected 12 tackles against in the teams' first meeting back in Week 7.
NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Eagles beat Cowboys 23-9 in sloppy battle for first place
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Dozen tackles in ugly loss Vander Esch racked up 12 tackles (nine solo) in Sunday's loss to Washington.
Impact With the Dallas offense only generating three points on the afternoon, the defense was rarely off the field, giving Vander Esch a chance to post strong IDP numbers. Having fully recovered from the broken collarbone he suffered in Week 1, LVE should resume his role at the heart of a Cowboys defense that has been one of the worst units in the league so far this season.
OCTOBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
