The Dallas Cowboys officially ruled out linebacker Leighton Vander Esch for Sunday's game with the New England Patriots. The second-year weakside linebacker is dealing with a neck injury.
Vander Esch missed his first career game three weeks ago with the injury. After two games playing 97% of snaps, he is out again with the same injury. However, Cowboys brass does not believe the neck injury is season- or career-threatening.
Said Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones on Friday afternoon on his radio show on 105.3 The Fan, via Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk:
“Obviously with where things are in this day and time in medical, you can only say so much, but we certainly don’t think it’s career-threatening. We’ve been on the phone with our trainers and doctors. It’s the same neck injury he’s been dealing with from a couple of weeks ago. But we feel like if we give this thing the proper amount of rest, it may correct on its own. If not, we’ll move forward in another direction. But I don’t think in any way it’s career-threatening.”
With Vander Esch out, 2016 All-Pro Sean Lee will shift from strongside linebacker to weakside in his place. On the year, Lee has 39 combined tackles, a tackle for loss and two pass deflections.
Vander Esch is the only Cowboy ruled out. Linebacker Joe Thomas (illness), safety Donovan Wilson (illness) and guard Connor Williams (knee) are all questionable for Sunday's highly anticipated bout.
Heading into Sunday, the Cowboys sit at 6-4, good for first place in the NFC East.
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