Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch not available for Christmas Eve showdown

Everybody in Dallas and Philadelphia have been counting down to Christmas Eve, with the Cowboys and Eagles set to face off in a crucial NFC East showdown. Both teams are dealing with injuries heading into the game, including linebacker Leighton Vander Esch — who is dealing with a shoulder stinger.

Unfortunately for Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Vander Esch is not expected to be able to play on Saturday. While there is positive news about the long-term status of the linebacker, he will have to watch his team from the sideline.

Vander Esch has had a bounce-back season for the Cowboys, coming back on a one-year contract deal after being drafted in the first round. Micah Parsons made the move full-time move to defensive end from linebacker and Vander Esch has really stepped up to the plate after preseason questions.

In 14 games this season, Vander Esch has recorded 90 tackles and 4.0 tackles for a loss. To this point, he has been on the field for nearly 80% of defensive snaps for the Cowboys — the most since his second year in the league.

Damone Clark is expected to be the like-for-like replacement against the Eagles. In what was a letdown game against Jacksonville, Dallas will need to make sure things are fixed ahead of Christmas Eve. It’s too important of a game to lose, especially at AT&T Stadium.

Looking past this week, Vander Esch’s injury is not expected to be a season-ending one. He could be back before the end of the regular season and still contribute to what hopes to be a deep playoff run for head coach Mike McCarthy.

Leighton Vander Esch suffers shoulder stinger

Feared to have suffered a neck injury in the loss versus Jacksonville on Sunday, Vander Esch actually suffered a shoulder stinger, a source told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network after the linebacker’s MRI today.

“The MRI on #Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch actually revealed a right shoulder stinger, not a neck injury, source said,” Rapoport shared. “While he did have a neck issue a years ago, the MRI and CT scan cleared it and this issue is unrelated. He’s still sore and may miss time, but overall good news.”

In an interview on 105.3 The Fan on Monday afternoon, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said the team expects Vander Esch back on the field this season, without sharing a more precise timeline for return.