Dallas Cowboys: Exercising caution with Leighton Vander Esch wise

The Dallas Cowboys know the effects of having star players injured, so they are taking the cautious route with Leighton Vander Esch at OTAs.

Over the years, the Dallas Cowboys have been quick to take precaution when it comes to injuries their star players have been dealing with. They will continue to do so with linebacker Leighton Vander Esch as he suffers from a pelvic injury that is sidelining him during OTAs.

It is extremely important to keep your starters healthy throughout the offseason, especially when that starter is just entering his second year. Vander Esch had a great rookie year, but the sky is the limit for him if he can have a long, healthy career.

When discussing Vander Esch’s injury and keeping him out of offseason workouts, head coach Jason Garrett had this to say, per Pro Football Talk:

"“Like any young player, he’s got to get better at everything,” Garrett said. “As good a job as he did for us, he can be a better run defender. He can be a better pass defender. He can be a better consistent tackler. He can understand what we’re doing and understand what opposing offenses are doing. He needs to just play more snaps to get more comfortable and more confident, but he’s certainly off to a good start.”"

OTAs might be the perfect time for Vander Esch to step away from the field and get back to full health. The Cowboys have suffered over the past few years from Sean Lee‘s injuries and another potentially great linebacker going down is the last thing they need.

With the offense trying to click on all cylinders consistently, the defense that was the catalyst for their success last season needs to be at full strength in 2019. That level of defensive play helps the offense find their rhythm and reach their potential.

Vander Esch was a standout at linebacker in 2018, showing off his open-field tackling skills along with Jaylon Smith and locking down the second level. He was an All-Pro and combined for 140 tackles and seven pass deflections as a rookie. Vander Esch is expected to be a major player in the Cowboys defense in 2019 and beyond. However, the defense could suffer if Vander Esch isn’t fully healthy.

Kavon Frazier recently had knee surgery and Chidobe Awuzie is currently dealing with a hamstring injury. With three key defensive players now missing offseason workouts due to injury, exercising caution remains the smart move for the Cowboys defense.