Jerry Jones makes his decision on ‘great’ Cowboys dilemma

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The Cowboys drafted Leighton Vander Esch to one day be their next Sean Lee.

But the rookie linebacker isn’t forcing Lee out of his starting job just yet.

Vander Esch, their 2018 first-round pick, has come on strong in recent weeks with Lee sidelined by an injury, but the veteran will be the starter when he comes back healthy, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told local radio on Tuesday.

“[Vander Esch] is improving,” Jones told 105.3 The Fan, via the Dallas Morning News. “But Sean Lee, make no mistake about it, when he’s right, there’s nobody better. He’s such an integral part of adjusting on the field and making the big play.”

Lee has missed the last four games with a hamstring injury but is nearing a return. Vander Esch, meanwhile, is tied for fourth in the NFL with 102 tackles and played a big hand in keeping Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram in check last Thursday in the Cowboys’ upset of the Saints. Since Lee has been out, Vander Esch has made 39 tackles and picked off a pair of passes.

Even when Lee comes back, they figure to rotate linebackers, including Jaylon Smith, to keep everybody fresh as the Cowboys head down the home stretch suddenly alone atop the NFC East.

“And then you look at what we’ve got in Smith, you just have to have those guys out there on the field,” Jones said. “It’s a great problem to have.”