The Dallas Cowboys lost player after player on Sunday’s 42-10 slaughter. Linebacker Leighton Vander-Esch and safety C.J. Goodwin will now go on IR as they are dealing with respective injuries. The Cowboys are already somewhat thin on the defensive side of the ball. Here is how Dallas can recover from losing two of their most integral players, and what their newest free agent signing means for the team.
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How the Cowboys Will Respond to Sunday’s Big Injuries
Replacing Leighton Vander-Esch
The Dallas Cowboys have lost to the Cardinals and 49ers due to player issues. There was little-to-nothing that could have been done to stop the run. Cowboys linebackers Marquise Bell and Leighton Vander-Esch looked like lost players against the 49ers, and now Dallas will be without the latter. Vander-Esch suffered a neck strain that will sideline him for the next four to six weeks. Since the release of Devin Harper, Dallas’ linebacker core has been paper thin. Not much has changed, but the NFL’s used parts bin still has much talent to offer.
Dallas signed linebacker Rashaan Evans to the practice squad on Wednesday morning. The former Tennessee Titan and Atlanta Falcon will now join Dallas’ star-studded defense. Evans was a former first-round pick who has played 76 career games and recorded two total interceptions. He has good closing speed, and at age 27, still lots left in the tank. His talents won’t be wasted in Dallas, as the next-man-up mentality is becoming clearer by the second. Look for Evans to fill the hole left by Vander-Esch in the coming weeks.
The most likely right-away option isn’t going to make a lot of Cowboys fans happy. Linebacker Malik Jefferson sits on the practice squad currently and has seen meager playing time. Dallas has been high on Jefferson since bringing him in. Before Evans takes a defensive snap, Jefferson will likely be the one filling in. There isn’t much positive tape on Jefferson, his aggressive playstyle could make or break the Dallas linebacker core. Only time will tell how ready Jefferson is for serious playing time.
The Loss of C.J. Goodwin
Kavontae Turpin didn’t make it on the list, but not because of his injury. Turpin’s play at receiver and kick returner has been phenomenal, and he will now miss four to six weeks with a high ankle sprain. There shouldn’t be conversations about replacing Turpin just yet, as he will be healthy again in a month. The Cowboys haven’t lost their X-factor player just yet. Deuce Vaughn is likely to take his kick returner spot.
The unseen supports hold the most weight on any NFL roster. Goodwin’s health was imperative to Dallas, as he has been a special teams ace since entering the NFL. While his special teams play has been impeccable, this is bigger than just kicks and punts. Goodwin’s roster spot has been locked for so long due to his ability to play special teams and safety. With a hole in both respective positions following his injury, the Cowboys can’t afford to have lost another defensive player.
Current Jets safety Ashtyn Davis sits in an odd situation at the moment. He remains a hard-hitting safety but doesn’t get consistent starting minutes over the likes of Jordan Whitehead. Dallas should keep him on their free agent radar, as Davis is a defensive missile and a special teams potential. The Cowboys are getting older at safety, and Davis could bring a boost of life to Dallas’ defense.
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