Dallas Cowboys confirmed today that their LB Leighton Vander Esch would miss a substantial part of this season.
One of the best defenders in Cowboys broke his collarbone and will have to undergo surgery to repair it. The franchise form Arlington decided to place the third-year linebacker to the injured reserve/return list.
The news was released today by Stephen Jones, the executive vice president of the Cowboys.
Vander Esch’s injury came in the first quarter of Sunday’s match against the Rams at the new SoFi stadium.
[embed]https://twitter.com/WerderEdESPN/status/1305587611856035840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw[/embed]The 24-year old will be out between six to eight weeks, meaning that the Cowboys will have to play half of the season without him. The procedure of the surgery is pretty complicated, with the doctors using a plate and screws to fix the troubled spot.
Many compare this injury to the one Tony Romo had in 2015. The Cowboys star QB also broke his collarbone, missing 8 weeks before getting back on the field, but only to break the collarbone at the same place and to end the campaign.
Vander Esch’s absence will be a major bust for Dallas. In his first two years, the former Boise State prospect established himself as a vital part of the Cowboys’ defense and the team’s future on that position.
His rookie season was superb. After being picked up as the 17th overall pick in the NFL Draft, the 6-foot-4 255lb monster immediately began contributing with 102 tackles, two interceptions, and a massive impact on his team’s overall defense.
All this earned him a spot in the second-teal All-Pro, and a Pro Bowl invitation.
One other devastating news for the Cowboys’ fans was confirmed today. Tight end Blake Jarwin tore his ACL and finished this season.
[embed]https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1305560825718026247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw[/embed]According to the statement released by the Cowboys’ management, the player will have surgery these days.
Jones signed a three-year extension in March this year, worth $24.2 million, and was planned to be one of the supporting weapons in the attack. He earned a starter position following Jason Witten’s departure to Las Vegas, and both the staff and the management expected to see the 26-year old flourish in 2020.
In 32 appearances over the last two years, Jarwin had 672 yards and six touchdowns.
These two losses are a massive blow for Mike McCarthy, who took over the wheel in Dallas this offseason.