Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl linebacker Leighton Vander Esch continues to be held out of organized team activities while rehabbing a pelvic injury. Dallas is playing it cautious with its star defender, though there does appear to be some progress on the front.
“I think he’s getting better and better,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “He’s not going to do much this week. He’s working on the side, but he’s certainly making progress.”
He previously dealt with a groin injury during last year's training camp.
Vander Esch had a shockingly good rookie season, joining the starting lineup after five games and ending up as an All-Pro. The Boise State product wound up with 140 combined tackles and seven pass deflections as a rookie.
At first a rotational player, Vander Esch filled in for Sean Lee at weakside linebacker in Week 7 and never left the lineup. Even with a healthy Lee, Vander Esch was a better choice and worth the development. He and inside linebacker Jaylon Smith teamed up to form one of the better young duos in the league.
The task now is to be even better in year two, and the second-year pro knows exactly what he needs to work on.
“There's a lot of ways I can improve,” Vander Esch told reporters in April. “Getting off blocks, striking with my length and building coordination with that, getting my foot in the ground and just running and making plays.”
With Lee healthy and back in the fold this offseason, Dallas has an embarrassment of riches in the middle of its defense.
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