Elliott, Vander Esch Not Among Injured Cowboys as Wild Card Kickoff Draws Near
NFL teams can be compared to automobiles. The New Orleans Saints, for instance, are a hot-running, high-speed Ferrari driven by QB Drew Brees. The Chicago Bears are a tractor or a monster truck led by powerful offensive and defensive lines and driven by gritty dual-threat quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
If there’s one thing we know about cars, though, it’s that they work better when a good set of keys is in hand.
The Dallas Cowboys have been shaken by the potential loss of the “keys” to their offense and defense in recent weeks. A banged-up Ezekiel Elliott, the team’s annual 1000-yard rusher and the key to the offense in many respects, sat out Week 17 against the New York Giants. Rookie LB Leighton Vander Esch, who leads the defense in tackles, has suffered some bumps and bruises of his own.
But neither Elliott or Vander Esch is listed on the Cowboys’ final injury report headed into a Wild Card showdown with the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night. That’s wonderful news for a team built around defense and a power-oriented ground attack.
Elliott was listed “questionable” for the contest as late as 4 days ago. In a September meeting with the Seahawks, the 3rd-year Ohio State product averaged a prodigious 7.9 yards per carry and galloped for his 3rd-highest rushing total of the season.
Not all of the ‘Boys are so lucky – or so durable. Wide receiver Tavon Austin is questionable for the Wild Card Round with a groin injury, and the same goes for reserve safety Darian Thompson. Defensive tackle David Irving has been downgraded to “doubtful” while offensive guard Xavier Su’a-Filo is also likely to miss the playoff game.
The good news doesn’t stop with Elliott and Vander Esch returning to 100% however. Guard Zach Martin, tackle Tyron Smith and DL Tyrone Crawford have each been upgraded to “probable” and are likely to dress for the 7:15 kickoff at AT&T Stadium.
