Leighton Vander Esch Out for Monday Night Matchup Against Giants
By Michael Luciano
The Dallas Cowboys, which have to square off against Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants on Monday Night, will play short-handed as their All-World linebacker will miss his first game.
Leighton Vander Esch will miss MNF with a neck injury, leaving Sean Lee and Joe Thomas as the starters.
Cowboys’ LB Leighton Vander Esch officially out tonight vs. Giants. Sean Lee starts at WLB, Joe Thomas starts at SLB.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 4, 2019
Vander Esch, who accumulated 140 tackles in his breakout rookie season, has 54 in Dallas' first seven games. Lee has been an ever-present figure in the Dallas defense over the last few years, but his effectiveness and playing time has wained thanks to both injuries and the emergence of Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith.
Thomas has proven himself as a solid backup, but could struggle as a starter against Barkley in primetime.
Just briefly talked to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. He said he comfortable with Sean Lee and Joe Thomas filling in for Leighton Vander Esch against the the Giants
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) November 4, 2019
Barkley and Daniel Jones' matchup against the Cowboys just got infinitely easier now that the best individual player on the Dallas defense will miss this game.