A linebacking corps already perilously thin heading into the Cowboys’ Week 5 showdown with San Francisco took a serious blow with Leighton Vander Esch’s latest neck injury.
And while the team has yet to make any definitive moves because of the 27-year-old’s prognosis, Dallas appears to be planning to bring in reinforcements at the position, with Vander Esch being a likely candidate for injured reserve.
Former first-round draft pick Rashaan Evans is at The Star on Wednesday on a free agent visit with the Cowboys, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Evans was the 22nd overall selection, by Tennessee, in 2018’s draft. Vander Esch was taken by the Cowboys just three picks earlier that same year.
An Alabama alum, Evans played four seasons for the Titans, starting 50 regular-season games and four playoff contests. In that time, he was in on an impressive 317 tackles and racked up 15 TFLs, 13 QB hits, three sacks, eight defended passes, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries (one of which he returned for a touchdown).
The #DallasCowboys are reportedly bringing in Rashaan Evans for a visit.
Some highlights of the veteran LB.pic.twitter.com/Hdbuam3Wn9
— Tony Catalina (@Tony_Catalina) October 11, 2023
After Tennessee elected not to re-sign him, Evans moved to Atlanta on a one-year deal for the 2022 season. He started all 17 games for the Falcons, logging 159 tackles, six TFLs, three QB hits, two sacks, four defended passes, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
Evans spent three days on the Eagles’ practice squad last month.
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The Cowboys coaching staff admitted shortly after Sunday’s loss that Vander Esch’s injury could cause some shuffling within their defense. Second-year man Damone Clark is currently the only remaining linebacker on the active roster in Dallas; promising rookie DeMarvion Overshown was lost in the preseason to injury and Devin Harper was poached by the Bengals two weeks ago. Malik Jefferson and Mikel Jones reside on the practice squad.
Whispers of the club acquiring additional linebacker depth via trade or free agency started immediately following the Cowboys’ 42-10 loss on Sunday.
Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn even acknowledged that Dallas’s situation could necessitate hybrid edge rusher Micah Parsons playing more snaps at his original linebacker position. But with the numbers definitively showing that Parsons has far more impact playing on the defensive line, bringing a new body to replace Vander Esch would likely be preferable.
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