Cowboys final injury report: Leighton Vander Esch a game-time decision
As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for their second matchup against the New York Giants, they may be without linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and others.
Coming off their bye in Week Eight, the 4-3 Dallas Cowboys still find themselves atop the NFC East standings. The Philadelphia Eagles have a 4-4 record, with the 2-6 New York Giants and the 1-7 Washington Redskins lagging behind.
Rested from their bye week, the Cowboys will head to the Big Apple to take on the Giants on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. In their first matchup back in Week One, Dallas easily defeated New York to the tune of 35-17. But this is a different Giants team with rookie quarterback Daniel Jones under center.
And the Cowboys might be without the services of Pro Bowl linebacker Leighton Vander Esch for the game. According to the team’s final injury report that was released on Saturday, Vander Esch is dealing with a neck injury and was limited throughout all three of the team’s practice sessions this week.
Per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, Vander Esch suffered a stinger during the Cowboys 37-10 victory over the Eagles in Week Seven. And he’s been dealing with some neck stiffness ever since. Vander Esch is officially listed as questionable for the game against New York but is expected to travel with the team. Gehlken reports the second-year linebacker is a game-time decision.
If Vander Esch is unable to play, veteran Sean Lee is expected to replace him at weakside linebacker. Also appearing as questionable for the matchup against the G-Men is cornerback, Anthony Brown. Suffering from a hamstring injury, Brown was a limited participant in practices all week.
Swing tackle Cameron Fleming has been officially designated as out for the Week Nine contest. Fleming suffered a calf injury and did not practice at all this week. Rookie offensive tackle Brandon Knight is expected to replace him as a key reserve.
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As for the New York Giants, they had three players listed on their final injury report. But none of those players were expected to miss Monday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. Yet, on Sunday, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported that Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard has now been downgraded to out for the matchup due to a concussion.