One Angry Man: Vander Esch Joins Quinn on Cowboys Injury List - and LB Isn’t Happy About It
ARLINGTON - The Dallas Cowboys’ post-win locker room on Sunday night was a jubilant place but for One Angry Man: linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.
“Yeah, that’s the fighter and competitor in me,” Vander Esch told me following a 37-10 win over the Eagles that featured his neck injury and an early exit that wasn’t his idea. “I’m good. I would’ve kept playing if it was up to me.”
Vander Esch and defensive end Robert Quinn were the two Cowboys who came out of Sunday’s game less than healthy - not counting the quintet of Amari Cooper, Randall Cobb, Byron Jones, La’el Collins and Tyron Smith, all of whom rehabbed their way into the lineup.
And owner Jerry Jones said he thinks neither defensive starter has a serious problem and that therefore Dallas won’t make any drastic moves.
“I don’t see that,” Jones said.
Quinn recorded a sack before leaving with a rib injury. Vander Esch departed and then the second half on the sideline in street clothes with what Dallas believes is a stinger.
The Cowboys now have a bye week to get healed up ... and in Vander Esch’s case, to also get cooled down.
“It’s good timing,” Vander Esch told me, adding that he took inspiration from his teammates’ desire to return to the field. “We’re going to keep to the grindstone and keep on truckin’.”
