Vander Esch not close to return, several other Cowboys should vs Rams

Head coach Jason Garrett dishes on what players are returning to practice on Wednesday ahead of Week 15’s game with the Los Angeles Rams.

The Dallas Cowboys don’t need to win their Week 15 match-up with the Los Angeles Rams in order to make the playoffs, though it’s clear they need a win for the psyche. Reinforcements look to be on their way, as head coach Jason Garrett announced some players that look to be ready to practice on Wednesday ahead of this weekend’s game.

Running back Tony Pollard, safety Jeff Heath and defensive tackle Antwaun Woods all look to be ready to return to the field.

Pollard missed the previous game against the Chicago Bears with an ankle injury. The Cowboys opted not to elevate either of their two running backs, Jordan Chunn or Mike Weber, to the active roster for the game, as they both were suffering injuries as well.

This led to full back Jamize Olawale being the primary target for Dak Prescott on a wheel route that proved to be costly. Elliott is as durable as any back in the league, but it is not only nearly impossible, but unwise, to have him attempt to play 100% of the offensive snaps in any game.

Heath, who has caught more flack than perhaps any defender in recent memory in Dallas will return to the field after dealing with injuries to both shoulders for weeks. He has missed the last two games while recovering and the Cowboys missed him on the back end. He will never be confused with an elite safety, but he’s got what this team has lacked: professionalism.

Then there’s Antwaun Woods. Not only has he had a hitch in his giddy-up from an MCL injury in his knee, he also got picked up by the police during a traffic stop for having marijuana, and a lot of it, in his car. The repercussions from that bad decision has yet to be handed down from the NFL, so as of now, the Cowboys could use him to help defeat a Rams run game that annihilated them in the divisional round last postseason.

Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch will not practice due to his lingering neck issue, though, and likely not play this weekend and it could be “a little time” before he is ready to return.

[vertical-gallery id=635660][lawrence-newsletter]