LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH

The Dallas Cowboys are moving on from linebacker Jaylon Smith without getting into the specifics of the decision to release their leading returning tackler four games into 2021.

This year, Leighton Vander Esch is fighting for his future in football with the Dallas Cowboys, and he knows it.

Award watch list season has begun for Boise State’s Kekaula Kaniho.

The Dallas Cowboys have declined the fifth-year option on linebacker Leighton Vander Esch’s rookie contract.

New York’s postseason chances hinged on Philadelphia beating Washington later Sunday, but the Eagles flopped in a 20-14 loss. Hardly how first-year coach Joe Judge planned it, but there were no complaints about extending the season for at least a few more hours. Limited to 26 points over its previous three games, the Giants’ 31st-ranked offense busted out with 239 yards and 20 points in the first half. Giants: Williams had seven tackles, three sacks and hit the quarterback five times. Giants: LB Blake Martinez left the game briefly after appearing to injure his left ankle or foot in the third quarter.

Pollard ran for two touchdowns with Elliott sidelined by a calf issue he's been battling for weeks, and the Cowboys kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 41-33 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Beathard handled the last two possessions and threw a 49-yard Hail Mary touchdown to Kendrick Bourne on the final play. The obvious reaction was that the rookie receiver should have gone to the ground to let Dallas run out the clock. ... WR Michael Gallup, who had a first-half touchdown catch, injured a hip in the second half and didn't return. UP NEXT49ers: At Arizona in an actual road game Saturday in the stadium that has become San Francisco's temporary home.

Philadelphia Eagles' Travis Fulgham (13) celebrates with teammates after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Eagles' Travis Fulgham (13) celebrates with teammates after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Philadelphia. Carson Wentz threw a pair of touchdown passes to overcome four turnovers, Rodney McLeod returned a fumble 53 yards for a score and the Eagles beat the Dallas Cowboys 23-9 on Sunday night. “A win is a win,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. The Cowboys then had an excellent opportunity after Donovan Wilson strip-sacked Wentz and recovered at the Eagles 25. Dallas had a first down at the Eagles 4 before Brandon Graham stripped DiNucci on second down and recovered.

Dalton was 9 of 19 for 75 yards before being injured and walking off under his own power to undergo concussion evaluation. Washington allowed 142 total yards to win a game by double digits for the first time since November 2018. As a team, Washington picked up 208 yards on the ground while allowing just 83. SOCIAL JUSTICEDallas defensive tackle Dontari Poe took a knee during the national anthem, while Collins and Washington offensive lineman Keith Ismael were among those who raised a fist in the air. UP NEXTThe Cowboys visit the 2-4-1 first-place Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday, while Washington next plays the New York Giants at home Nov. 8 after its bye week.

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys activated Leighton Vander Esch, clearing the way for the linebacker to play against Arizona on Monday night five weeks and a day after breaking his collarbone in the opener. He was injured in the first half of the 20-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 13. The Cowboys placed quarterback Dak Prescott and defensive tackle Trysten Hill on season-ending injured reserve. Prescott sustained a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle against the Giants, and Hill tore a knee ligament. Dallas filled the second roster spot by bringing up defensive tackle Justin Hamilton from the practice squad.

Mike McCarthy lost his debut as coach of the Dallas Cowboys in part because of a curious fourth-down decision that didn’t work. Now the Cowboys (0-1) will see whether a short-term loss can turn into a long-term gain, starting Sunday in their home opener against Atlanta (0-1). WHAT NEEDS HELPThe Cowboys played from behind almost all of the first half because they couldn't defend the screen pass. Vander Esch's injury raises serious questions for the linebackers when the secondary was already the weakest link on the team. The scoreboard didn't show it, but Dallas appears capable of having an offense as productive as last season's top-ranked unit.

Dak Prescott passed for 266 yards and a touchdown, but Dallas managed three points on its six drives in the second half. The opening of Rams owner Stan Kroenke's $5 billion stadium project was a historic night for the Los Angeles area, albeit one that should have been much more festive. Elliott tied it early in the second quarter with a 19-yard TD catch during which he ran through most of the Los Angeles defense. Van Jefferson's first career reception was a beautiful 31-yard grab in the second quarter, but it was the promising Rams rookie's only reception. Right tackle Cam Erving and tight end Blake Jarwin both didn't return from knee injuries in the second quarter.

DALLAS COWBOYS (8-8)New Faces: Coach Mike McCarthy, backup QB Andy Dalton, WR CeeDee Lamb, DE Everson Griffen, DE Aldon Smith, DT Dontari Poe, S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S Trevon Diggs, K Greg Zuerlein, C Tyler Biadasz. Strengths: If Lamb lives up to hype after unexpectedly falling to Cowboys at No. This season will mark 25 years since last time Dallas won multiple playoff games in same year. Roster is built for that playoff run, McCarthy sees no reason why it shouldn't happen in his Cowboys debut, 10 years after winning Super Bowl with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. McCarthy probably doesn't have another Rodgers in terms of pure ability, but Prescott is capable of leading postseason run that would probably secure long-term contract he's been trying to get since early 2019.

OXNARD, Calif. - To whom much is given, much is required.That phrase sums up Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smiths perspective on being the quarterback of Dallas defense. Smith, who is about to start his third season in a Cowboys uniform, spent his entire rookie year on NFL reserve after suffering a devastating knee injury in his final college game. Smith recorded his best season wearing the star in 2018, starting in all 16 games and tallying a career-high 150 tackles, second only to fellow starting linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. He finished tied for first on the Cowboys with two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four sacks. Thats why we play the game, Smith said.

KSAT 12's Greg Simmons goes one-on-one with Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, discussing his goals for the upcoming season, the origin of his "Wolf Hunter" nickname and howl celebration, and he learns from fellow linebacker Sean Lee. Copyright 2019 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

KSAT 12's Greg Simmons goes one-on-one with Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, discussing his goals for the upcoming season, the origin of his "Wolf Hunter" nickname and howl celebration, and he... Copyright 2019 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

OXNARD, California - The Dallas Cowboys have officially arrived in Oxnard, California. Most of the main stars made the trip together, including quarterback Dak Prescott and tight end Jason Witten, but the most conspicuous no-show was running back Ezekiel Elliott, who missed the Cowboys' scheduled charter flight at 1 p.m. Elliott can still make his own way to Oxnard and report for training camp tomorrow. The official report day is tomorrow, and it's going to be a beautiful day. We get here a day early before the official day starts tomorrow, so we're excited about being out here." Tomorrow, Garrett, owner Jerry Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones will speak to the media for their annual "State of the Cowboys" address.