Leighton Vander Esch Ruled Out for Cowboys-Bears and His Absence is Killing Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys defense is suffering, and it doesn't seem like they'll be getting their star linebacker back soon.

Leighton Vander Esch has been ruled out for a third consecutive week prior to the Dallas Cowboys' clash against the Chicago Bears, and they cannot effectively manage his absence much longer.

After all, they're barely doing so now.

While the reasoning behind Vander Esch's decision is respectable, Cowboys fans need to be a little scared, as their run defense has suffered without the Pro Bowl backer. They have surrendered over 100 yards rushing these past two weeks, and with their playoff hopes on the line (even in an historically weak NFC East), they cannot afford any more slipups.

Going against David Montgomery, who averaged 4.7 yards per carry on 16 carries last week against Detroit, could prove to be an issue for the Cowboys without the second-year player on board.

The 6-6 Cowboys travel to Chicago to take on the 6-6 Bears in a game that looks to be a slug fest -- in other words, a "sluggish festival" that we all have to grit our teeth through. Without LVE, the Cowboys could be in trouble, but ultimately, the game will be on the arm of Mitchell Trubisky.