Mike McCarthy has just announced another monstrous addition to his team, as he tend to solidify his team walls with this monumental deal..
Due to a neck injury, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander-Esch will miss the rest of the 2023 campaign. Whether the former first-round draft pick will return to the football field is a matter of concern.
Concerns have been raised from the start regarding Vander Esch’s neck issues. He was initially admitted to IR in 2020 due to a severe fractured collarbone. Since then, there have been doubts about his availability. The Cowboys management office will have to make difficult choices in light of this pattern of injuries. The Dallas Cowboys can bounce back from losing their Pro Bowl chess piece in the following ways.
After Leighton Vander-Esch’s injury, who will the Dallas Cowboys start next?
Marquise Bell, LB/S
Recent reports from 105.3 The Fan state that Vander Esch’s injury is causing serious concerns. His history of neck ailments, which dates back to his time at Boise State, is starting to catch up with him. The Cowboys need to find a replacement for Vander Esch right now because there is a huge hole in the secondary.
This is Marquise Bell’s turn. Bell’s 2023 season has been up and down. After making brief appearances versus New York in the first week, he seemed to vanish. The Dallas Cowboys front office has a thing for Marquise Bell, as the Cowboys vs. Chargers game confirmed. His aggressive hybrid position style play has demonstrated that he is prepared to assume leadership. While Bell lacks Vander Esch’s level of experience, the Cowboys aren’t exactly lacking in it either. Dallas would be better off letting Bell take it from here and witness more interactions.
Rashaan Evans, LB
You’ll notice a pattern if you watch the video of Dallas crushing the New York Giants 49–17. Although he didn’t play as the game’s main defender, Evans did take defensive snaps. After signing, Evans was added to the roster in less than 30 days. He plays in a manner reminiscent of Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander-Esch. Bell, Damone Clark, and him will switch off.
Prior to joining Dallas, Evans played for Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Tennessee. On paper, a former first-round pick of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the NFL Draft appears promising. Although he doesn’t have a long highlight reel, he sparkled against New York. Rashaan Evans will probably see more snaps for the Cowboys as a result of Leighton Vander-Esch’s injury. That was only the first 28 snaps.
Vander-Esch’s Prospects
Sadly, the NFL is a very competitive industry. Unreliability and injuries are grounds for termination. Determining the extent of Vander-Esch’s injuries is premature. He intends to focus on IR for the remainder of 2023. Nor is this the first instance.
When does the Cowboys front office start giving their options some serious thought? Dallas seems to have two:
First option: Leighton Vander Esch plays for the Dallas Cowboys until the 2024 campaign. The Cowboys will probably select in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, between picks 21 and 27. The Dallas Cowboys should consider possible replacements at linebacker in the draft, since there are some intriguing possibilities in that class. Vander-Esch might play sparingly and act as a mentor-style rotational linebacker.
Choice two: Leighton Vander Esch stays on injured reserve as a Dallas Cowboy. After giving him a thorough examination, the doctors come to a consensus; this keeps happening. In 2023, the NFL won’t tolerate any mistakes, and a neck injury isn’t a walkoff. Vander-Esch’s contract is set to expire in one year. While it’s impossible to foresee how Dallas will manage his contract, leaving the game is a genuine option. Before Vander-Esch gets cleared to play football, he needs to see a number of physicians and experts.
Regarding Vander-Esch, it’s yet unclear what Dallas will decide to do. Regardless of his destiny, Rashaan Evans and Marquise Bell will miss more time from him. Dallas is still optimistic that the wolf hunter will rejoin the group following a speedy recuperation.
