The Cowboys took a thumping at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers and continued getting a grip on their unfortunate reality on Monday. Wideout Kavonte Turpin was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain after leaving the 42-10 loss early.
Turpin scored the Cowboys’ lone touchdown of the debacle, catching a 26-yard pass from Dak Prescott in stride and making it into the end zone untouched. He’s also the club’s primary kick returner and a Pro Bowl one at that, doubling the impact of his time away. The typical recovery time for a high ankle sprain is 4-6 weeks of recovery but McCarthy expressed optimism that Turpin could return much quicker.
#Cowboys WR KaVontae Turpin, who scored the team's lone touchdown yesterday on a 26-yard TD, is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain in the loss, source said. Those are generally 4-6 weeks, but he's having an MRI to confirm and determine the severity.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 9, 2023
McCarthy also noted that linebacker Leighton Vander Esch “may also be a candidate for injured reserve.” The sixth-year pro left the game in the third quarter after injuring his neck in a collision with fellow teammate Micah Parsons when he was pushed in the back by 49ers OL Trent Williams.
Cowboys are considering placing LB Leighton Vander Esch on injured reserve due to the neck he injury he suffered during Sunday night’s loss to the 49ers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 9, 2023
The injury may force the team to look for additional bodies. X-rays were negative, but the team is awaiting MRI results to understand the true severity of the situation. Vander Esch has repeatedly dealt with neck injuries and was even a point of emphasis during his pre-draft process. He missed seven games back in 2019 with a Cervical Neck Stinger.
Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch underwent X-rays on neck Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, and in good news, those returned negative, a person familiar with situation said. Team to take every precaution here. His evaluation continues Monday with MRI.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 9, 2023
As it currently stands, Damone Clark is the only healthy linebacker remaining on the active roster. The Cincinnati Bengals claimed former Dallas linebacker Devin Harper in late September while Malik Jefferson occupies a practice squad spot with only one call-up remaining. Any stint on injured reserve would automatically keep Vander Esch out for at least four weeks.
Dallas also lost special teams ace CJ Goodwin to a torn pectoral muscle. If he opts for surgery that will knock him out for the rest of 2023.