LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH NEWS

Dalton hurt, Washington defense clamps down to beat Cowboys

Washington’s defense finally clamped down on a struggling opponent, piling up six sacks, an interception and a forced fumble that became a safety in a 25-3 blowout of the Dallas Co...

OCTOBER 25, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Expects no limitations Sunday Vander Esch said he "should be in there full time" Sunday against Washington, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact The 24-year-old returned from injured reserve and played 32 of 62 defensive snaps during Monday's loss to the Cardinals, but he doesn't expect to face the same limitations during this weekend's divisional matchup. Vander Esch should bring some stability to the middle of a Dallas defense that has struggled all season.

OCTOBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Three tackles in return Vander Esch had three tackles (two solo) and one pass breakup during Monday's 38-10 loss to Arizona.

Impact The 24-year-old returned from a four-game absence Monday and played 32 of 62 defensive snaps. Vander Esch missed about a month due to the collarbone injury, and it appears the Cowboys were easing him back into the fold. He should continue to ramp up his workload against Washington in Week 7.

OCTOBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Kennard returns for Cards in 1st game without All-Pro Jones

The Arizona Cardinals are getting pass rusher Devon Kennard back just as they are set to play their first game in 4 1/2 years without All-Pro Chandler Jones

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cowboys inactives: Leighton Vander Esch returns for Dallas Vander Esch had been out since Week 1.

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • USATODAY.COM

Returning to action Vander Esch (collarbone) is listed as active Monday against the Cardinals.

Impact Vander Esch is the linchpin of the Dallas defense, but he's also only played in three of the team's previous 14 games dating back to last season due to injury. For his career, he's averaged 8.7 tackles per game, so he's a decent enough bet to make an impact in the IDP realm in his first appearance since Week 1.

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Slater: Leighton Vander Esch slated to return vs. Cardinals on 'MNF' NFL Network's Jane Slater reports that Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is slated to return to the lineup against the Arizona...

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • NFL.COM

Lifted from IR Vander Esch (collarbone) was activated from injured reserve Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact Vander Esch is slated to return to the lineup for the first time since fracturing his collarbone in Week 1. It's unclear if the oft-injured middle linebacker will immediately step back into an every-down role, but he should at least start for the Cowboys defense. If he does start, Vander Esch should be considered a solid IDP option, as he averaged 8.5 tackles per game over his first two NFL seasons.

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Cowboys clear way for LB Vander Esch to return against Cards

The Dallas Cowboys have cleared the way for linebacker Leighton Vander Esch to return five weeks after breaking his collarbone in the opener

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hopeful for Monday The Cowboys are hopeful regarding Vander Esch's (collarbone) chances of returning for Monday's matchup with the Cardinals, Rob Phillips of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Impact Vander Esch appears to be trending toward a return off injured reserve, as he has suffered no setbacks at practice this week. Still, the team has yet to activate him. He has been sidelined since fracturing his collarbone in Week 1.

OCTOBER 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Time to howl? Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch could make return vs. Cardinals FRISCO — Leighton Vander Esch went through his second consecutive practice and there’s a chance he could return against Arizona. The linebac...

OCTOBER 17, 2020 • DALLASNEWS.COM

Kyler Murray leads homecoming parade as Cards visit Cowboys

It’s homecoming week in Texas for the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals, or at least it feels that way about as much as an NFL game can

OCTOBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Practices again Thursday Vander Esch (collarbone) practiced Thursday, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact The Cowboys are slated to practice in pads Friday, per Jane Slater of NFL Network. Once the team gets a chance to see how Vander Esch holds up in yet another padded session -- he did the same last Thursday -- he could be activated from IR this weekend in advance of Monday's game versus the Cardinals. Vander Esch hasn't played since fracturing his collarbone Week 1.

OCTOBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Cowboys face playoff chase without Prescott in weak NFC East

Dak Prescott joins a growing list of Dallas offensive starters out for the season after the star quarterback's gruesome right ankle injury against the New York Giants

OCTOBER 12, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Targeting Week 6 return Coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that Vander Esch (collarbone) will try to ramp up his practice activity next week in hopes of facing the Cardinals on Oct. 19, Clarence E. Hill Jr....

Impact Dallas' Week 6 game against Arizona is scheduled for Monday night, so Vander Esch will get the benefit of an additional day to get healthy. The Cowboys officially opened the star linebacker's 21-day window for return Wednesday, and while it looks as though there's no chance of Vander Esch playing against the Giants on Sunday, the team may not have to wait long before getting him back on the field.

OCTOBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Leighton Vander Esch participates in practice, but how close is the Cowboys LB to returning? FRISCO – The Cowboys are getting healthier on defense. Starting middle linebacker Leighton Vander Esch did some individual drills in full pa...

OCTOBER 8, 2020 • DALLASNEWS.COM

Dons pads at Thursday's practice Vander Esch wore pads at Thursday's practice for the first time since he fractured his collarbone during Week 1 action, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Among his drills, Vander Esch put in some cardio, hit the sled and took part in the turnover circuit. The Cowboys officially opened his 21-day window to be activated from injured reserve Wednesday, but they want to be sure he can hit again without breaking his collarbone before clearing him for game action, which seems unlikely to happen this Sunday against the Giants, per Jane Slater of NFL Network.

OCTOBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to resume practicing The Cowboys designated Vander Esch (collarbone) to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Rob Phillips of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Impact The transaction kicks off a 21-day window wherein the Cowboys can evaluate Vander Esch at practice. He can be activated to the 53-man roster at any time during that three-week window, otherwise the team can opt to allow him to revert back to IR for the season. The star linebacker underwent surgery to repair his broken collarbone mid-September, and while he's technically eligible to return to the field as early as Sunday's game against the Giants, it wouldn't be surprising if Vander Esch needs more time.

OCTOBER 7, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

QBs, offenses take spotlight as Cowboys visit Seahawks

Russell Wilson and Dak Prescott will be in the spotlight on Sunday when the Seahawks host the Cowboys in a big NFC showdown that could end up being a shootout

SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sent to IR The Cowboys placed Vander Esch (collarbone) on injured reserve Tuesday, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Impact Vander Esch will undergo surgery to repair his broken collarbone and miss six to eight weeks. The 24-year-old linebacker has struggled to stay healthy since the beginning of last season, as he battled a neck injury in 2019 that kept him out of seven games before having offseason surgery. For the time being Joe Thomas is slated to start at middle linebacker in Vander Esch's place.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Dallas Cowboys lose starting LB Leighton Vander Esch for 6-8 weeks, TE Blake Jarwin for season One game into the season, the Dallas Cowboys are already down two key starters in linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and tight end Blake Jarwin...

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • USATODAY.COM

McCarthy loses 1st game with Cowboys, but might have won QB

Mike McCarthy's debut as coach of the Dallas Cowboys will be remembered for his curious fourth-down call that didn't work

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cowboys injuries: Leighton Vander Esch expected to miss 6-8 weeks, Blake Jarwin needs surgery on ACL The Cowboys are going to miss a key piece from the middle of their defense, and their starting tight end.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • BLOGGINGTHEBOYS.COM

Cowboys Rumors: Leighton Vander Esch Will Have Surgery on Injury; Out 6-8 Weeks Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch will undergo surgery after "cleanly" breaking his collarbone in Sunday's game, per Ian Rapopo...

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • BLEACHERREPORT.COM

Will undergo surgery Vander Esch is expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks following surgery to repair his broken collarbone, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Vander Esch has a clean break in his collarbone, so he could still return this season if everything goes as planned. The 2018 first-round pick has had tough luck since being named to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season, playing just nine games last year due to a neck injury, and now he won't return until Week 7, at the earliest. The Cowboys will place him on IR soon. Joe Thomas is expected to fill in at middle linebacker moving forward.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE