:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67401128/usa_today_14928955.0.jpg)
The Dallas Cowboys are officially 0-1 on the season thanks to an opening loss on the road to the Los Angeles Rams, and to say that people are frustrated would be putting it mildly. This season was supposed to be one of expectations being met for America’s Team. Unfortunately, the group looked flat against the Rams, and filed to come out with a win.
One of the reasons why Dallas seemed to struggle when the Rams had the ball was because one of their best players wasn’t on the field for most of the game. Leighton Vander Esch left early with a collarbone injury and was ruled out. After that, the news did not get better when the game ended.
Leighton Vander Esch has a fractured collarbone and will hit injured reserve this week
Vander Esch is one of the key players on the Cowboys defense. He is somebody that Mike Nolan was very excited to work with. All of that has now been postponed as the linebacker suffered the collarbone injury in Los Angeles and will be headed to injured reserve soon.
#Cowboys star LB Leighton Vander Esch suffered a fractured collarbone early in the game tonight, source said. He’ll land on Injured Reserve, a brutal blow. The nerve center of the defense and one of its top playmakers, Vander Esch’s loss stings. He’ll be back this season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 14, 2020
This is devastating news to a Cowboys defense that could badly use playmakers. Even with Vander Esch the group was suspect, without him they will need some reserves to step up and help carry the team until he returns.
The loss was a costly one for the Cowboys in this particular department as not only will they be without Vander Esch for some time, but it is feared that starting tight end Blake Jarwin tore his ACL. The Cowboys will host the Atlanta Falcons next week and are already in a bit of an uphill battle.