Leighton Vander Esch
File-This Dec. 20, 2020, file photo shows Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (55) walking off the field after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys declined the fifth-year option on Vander Esch's rookie contract Monday, May 3, 2020, setting up an interesting season at the position after the club used this year's first-round pick on a potential replacement. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
Cowboys decline Vander Esch option, creating intrigue at LB

By Schuyler Dixon May. 03, 2021 05:08 PM EDT

FILE - Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (84) breaks free from a Missouri defender as he runs a pass pattern during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Gainesville, Fla., in this Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, file photo. Pitts is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft, April 29-May 1, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
NFL draft: Players selected in the first round

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 29, 2021 11:38 PM EDT

Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons holds a team jersey after the was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys with the 12th pick in the NFL football draft Thursday, April 29, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cowboys get Penn St LB Micah Parsons after trade with Eagles

By Schuyler Dixon Apr. 29, 2021 10:07 PM EDT

FILE - BYU quarterback Zach Wilson (1) celebrates an overtime win against Tennessee with fans in an NCAA college football game in Knoxville, Tenn., in this Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, file photo. Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson are expected to be the top two picks selected in the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 29, 20212, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
NFL Draft: Players selected in the first round

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 29, 2021 09:05 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 28, 2018, file photo, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee walks on the field during NFL football training camp in Oxnard, Calif. Sean Lee retired Monday, April 26, 2021, after the linebacker spent all of his 11 mostly injury-plagued seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. The 34-year-old said in a letter released by the club that it was “my time to walk away.” (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas, File)
Cowboys' Lee retires after 11 mostly injury-plagued seasons

By Schuyler Dixon Apr. 26, 2021 03:38 PM EDT

Dallas Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott, center, pushes through New York Giants defenders to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Defense figures to be focus as Cowboys miss playoffs again

By Schuyler Dixon Jan. 04, 2021 05:22 PM EST

Patrick Mahomes watching Chiefs' finale against Chargers

By The Associated Press Jan. 03, 2021 12:23 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is inactive for their meaningless regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, which means he will...

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs the ball as Philadelphia Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards (57) and cornerback Michael Jacquet (38) close in to make the stop in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 27. 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Elliott, Cowboys still have hope in star RB's rough season

By Schuyler Dixon Jan. 01, 2021 04:37 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry plays against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game, in Cleveland. The Browns will try to earn a playoff spot without four wide receivers, including star Landry, their starting middle linebacker and his replacement due to COVID-19 protocols. But despite the six players being out, an NFL spokesman said Cleveland's game at the New York Jets will be played as scheduled on Sunday, Dec. 27. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Dwayne Haskins starts for Washington despite breaking rules

By The Associated Press Dec. 27, 2020 12:04 PM EST

Cowboys DT Woods to miss final 2 games with ankle injury

Dec. 26, 2020 03:49 PM EST
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Cowboys placed defensive tackle Antwaun Woods on injured reserve Saturday because of an ankle injury, ending another starter's season...

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton (14) keeps the ball for a gain of yardage as San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (99) and Kerry Hyder Jr. (92) give chase in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Cowboys, Eagles meet in altered states, close to elimination

By Schuyler Dixon Dec. 24, 2020 04:08 PM EST

Cowboys, Eagles meet with playoff fate in Washington's hands

By The Associated Press Dec. 24, 2020 11:52 AM EST
PHILADELPHIA (4-9-1) at DALLAS (5-9) Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, Fox OPENING LINE — Cowboys by 1½ RECORD...

Dallas Cowboys' Andy Dalton (14), Dalton Schultz, rear, celebrate a touchdown run by Tony Pollard (20) in the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Turnaround on turnovers helps Cowboys keep faint hopes alive

By Schuyler Dixon Dec. 21, 2020 12:24 PM EST

NFL Today-Week 15

By The Associated Press Dec. 20, 2020 09:14 PM EST
SCOREBOARD Monday, Dec. 21 Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 8:15 p.m. EST, ESPN — The Steelers have lost two straight...

New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) attempts to stop Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mack Hollins (86), during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Foot injury forces Patriots' Gilmore out of loss to Dolphins

By The Associated Press Dec. 20, 2020 05:57 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys' Andy Dalton (14), Dalton Schultz, rear, celebrate a touchdown run by Tony Pollard (20) in the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Pollard scores 2 with Elliott out, Cowboys beat 49ers 41-33

By Schuyler Dixon Dec. 20, 2020 04:39 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton warms up before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys 12/20/2020

Dec. 20, 2020 12:08 PM EST

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Dez Bryant works out prior to an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dallas Cowboys at Baltimore Ravens 12/8/2020

Dec. 08, 2020 06:50 PM EST

Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith warms up before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Washington Football Team at Dallas Cowboys 11/26/2020

Nov. 26, 2020 04:08 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) runs up field between Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) and safety Xavier Woods (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings 11/22/2020

Nov. 22, 2020 04:50 PM EST