Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is not only back in the fold in 2020.
He’s moved to the middle of it.
Vander Esch, sidelined for much of last year with a spinal disk-related nerve issue, is fully recovered from offseason neck surgery. He confirmed Thursday that he will change positions and play middle linebacker in 2020. The adjustment should only help Vander Esch in his goal to become more of a leader in his third NFL season.
Health is where it starts.
Vander Esch, 24, missed seven games before his January procedure. He still contributed to a defense sometimes short in on-field and locker-room accountability, supporting teammates and traveling to games while working closely with the linebacker group. But only so much impact was possible when injured.
He’s healthy now.
“I’ve been training for three or four months hard,” Vander Esch said Thursday in a conference call with reporters. “I’ve got all of my strength back. I’m back and better than I was as far as strength before I got hurt. So, everything is going great there and I feel amazing. I’m just excited to be on the field.”
The surgery repaired a bulging disk, with more pronounced nerve effects for Vander Esch because he has an abnormally narrow spinal column. The narrowing is the result of spinal stenosis, a condition with which Vander Esch was born. He dealt with a stenosis-related neck problem at Boise State, too, but the belief is the Cowboys have a better handle of the situation.
Their equipment department outfitted Vander Esch with an extra roll to wear beneath his pads this season.
He said that the added layer of protection is expected to help absorb shock to the neck area without impeding his on-field vision.
“I still have all of my mobility, being able to look around with my helmet,” Vander Esch said. “No problems there.”
Last year, Jaylon Smith worked as the Cowboys’ middle, or “Mike,” linebacker. Despite occasional flashes and Smith receiving his first career Pro Bowl berth, his overall play took a step back.
Multiple factors ultimately contributed to the new coaching staff’s decision to move Vander Esch to the middle. Smith’s pass-rush ability was one component. Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan can deploy Smith as a rusher more often with Smith at the weak-side, or “Will,” linebacker spot.
Additionally, sources have said that Smith struggled to take the reins of all that is expected of a team captain and Mike linebacker. This surfaced in a number of ways. As one example, in Week 16, he mixed up the coverage responsibility when issuing a call to linebacker Malcolm Smith. The play resulted in an explosive gain during a critical loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Vander Esch likely would have practiced in the spring if the Cowboys could have conducted on-field activities. Team workouts were canceled amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dallas is expected to hold its first full-squad practice of the year next Friday in Frisco.
A healthy Vander Esch will line up between Smith and strong-side linebacker Sean Lee, ready to lead.
“We’ve got to stop talking about it and start doing it,” Vander Esch said of the Cowboys, who failed to make the playoffs last year. “It’s as simple as that. Not get too far ahead of ourselves. Just taking it one week at a time. ... Just holding everybody accountable, being vocal on the field, being able to get everybody lined up on the field. If someone is messed up, I’m going to get him right. If something is wrong in the locker room, get it right and fix it. Don’t put things off. Don’t brush things off.
“You’ve got to set things right as they are, and you’ve got to do it fast. You can’t wait. I think we need that leadership this year, and I’m excited to help do that. But I know all of the guys are ready to go, and I’m just going to put everything I can on the field for them and show them that I’m prepared to play fast and make plays for them, and that I’ve just got their back.”
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