Tag: Vander Esch

Dec 12, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (81) runs the ball ahead of New York Giants safety Logan Ryan (23) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

NFL transaction roundup: S Logan Ryan joins Bucs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Veteran safety Logan Ryan agreed to terms on a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, multiple media outlets reported Friday.

The move comes one day after Ryan was released by the New York Giants.

A team captain with the Giants, Ryan recorded a career-high 117 tackles to go along with two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 15 games (all starts) last season.

Ryan, 31, has 705 tackles, 18 interceptions and 13 sacks in 140 career games with the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans and Giants. He was a part of two Super Bowl-winning teams with the Patriots, who selected him in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

–Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys.

Financial terms were not disclosed for Vander Esch, who collected 77 tackles, one sack and one interception in 17 games (16 starts) last season.

Vander Esch, 26, has 349 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three picks in 52 career games (46 starts) since being selected by the Cowboys with the 19th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

–Defensive lineman DeShawn Williams signed a one-year contract with the Denver Broncos.

Financial terms were not disclosed by the team for Williams, who recorded a career-high 39 tackles to go along with one sack in 15 games (eight starts) last season.

Williams, 29, has 78 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one interception in 33 career games (19 starts) with the Cincinnati Bengals and Broncos.

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) holds his leg after an injury in the third quarter against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys’ Prescott looking forward to comeback

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Injured Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott visited the team facility Thursday for the first time since his season-ending ankle injury.

Prescott also filmed a video he placed on his Instagram account, saying he is in “good spirits.” He was on his way to the doctor’s office to see his right leg for the first time since undergoing surgery Sunday night.

Prescott suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle during Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.

“I’m ready to start this road to come back,” Prescott said in the video. “This little adversity is going to be just another chapter in the book. I’m excited to move forward and write it.”

Prescott said the amount of support he has received has been overwhelming and has made “a huge difference.”

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said the team was excited to see Prescott on Thursday.

“He’s in the building and you just see the reaction everybody has that he’s here,” McCarthy told reporters before practice. “I just think that speaks volumes about him as a man and just the electricity that he brings to our football team.”

McCarthy said the reality of the situation would probably sink in when the team began practice Thursday without Prescott. The Cowboys are starting preparations for Monday night’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.

“I think you’ll have that moment when you get out there. I think that’s only natural,” McCarthy said of the realization. “Unfortunately, I’ve been through it before a couple of times. But on a personal note, it was great to see him today.”

The Cowboys are optimistic that Prescott will make a full recovery. He was leading the NFL with 1,856 passing yards.

Prescott, 27, was playing on a one-year franchise tag worth $31.4 million this season. The Cowboys reportedly offered him a five-year, $175 million deal in the offseason that was declined before contract talks broke down.

Veteran Andy Dalton will be the starting quarterback for the game against Arizona.

Also, standout linebacker Leighton Vander Esch was expected to return to practice Thursday. Vander Esch has missed the past four games since breaking his collarbone in the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys LB Vander Esch ‘ahead of schedule’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch could be closer than expected to returning to the Dallas Cowboys.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday that Vander Esch, sidelined with a broken collarbone, has progressed to the point that he could be a full participant in practice this week. His status for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants is unclear.

“Leighton’s going to do a little more today because it’s a padded practice,” McCarthy said. “In defining a little more, it will be more than the individual drills and we’ll just see how that goes. That’s the plan going in, and we’ll see if he progresses.”

Vander Esch was injured Week 1 in a loss to the Rams. The team expected him to miss 6-8 weeks, and he was placed on injured reserve.

But his increased physical activity and NFL rules this season allowing players to return after missing three games makes it possible the inside linebacker could be on the field Sunday.

“I would say he’s ahead of schedule. He’s definitely champing at the bit to get back, there’s no question about that,” he said. “But obviously there’s medical procedures and process that he must go through and clear. But the doctors and the trainers feel really good about where he is.”

Last week, the Cowboys allowed 49 points and 307 rushing yards to the Cleveland Browns.

McCarthy said the Cowboys will take into consideration how Vander Esch feels on Friday after not putting on football pads for three weeks.

–Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (55) and Dallas Cowboys defensive end Everson Griffen (97) chase down Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (23) as he runs for a first down in the first quarter of the game at SoFi. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys LB Vander Esch out 6-8 weeks, TE Jarwin done for season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is scheduled for surgery to repair his broken collarbone on Tuesday.

Vander Esch was injured in Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams and will miss six to eight weeks, multiple outlets reported Monday.

He is expected to be placed on injured reserve which, in 2020, allows players to return after missing three games.

It was a costly opener for Dallas.

Tight end Blake Jarwin is believed to have suffered a torn ACL and is out for the season, according to multiple reports. Jarwin signed a four-year, $22 million contract in the offseason.

Vander Esch left Sunday’s game in the first quarter.

He has a history of neck and back issues and could invite caution from the Cowboys in the decision to allow him to return later this season.

–Field Level Media