Dallas Cowboys former Pro Bowl linebacker Sean Lee made his return to the field after an extended absence during Sunday’s 23-0 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

In his first game back in the mix, Lee was not inserted into the starting lineup as rookie Leighton Vander Esch had assumed that starting role with he played in limited snaps as the backup. According to Jane Slater of The NFL Network, it was a move that the 32-year-old had requested to make in his first game back.

Just talked to #Cowboys LB Sean Lee who says he is excited to finally be back after injuring his hamstring Week 9 against the Titans. He tells me he will not start today though. Team sources tell me Lee told the team he didn’t want to disrupt Leighton Vander Esch’s progress — Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) December 16, 2018

The fact that Lee had put in for the team to go this route with his reinsertion back into the fold shows that there is a clear understanding that Vander Esch has become a key factor in the linebacking core in the starting lineup next to Jaylon Smith as both have formed among the best tandems in the league. He has become one of the bright young rising stars in the league at his position that could become a staple in their front seven for the next decade next to Smith.

Vander Esch currently leads the team with 116 tackles that have him on track to finish with 133 tackles on the season. His production and stable play have been huge in helping the Cowboys possess one of the league’s best defenses that are among the top of the list in several categories. Dallas currently ranks fifth overall along with being seventh against the pass, fifth against the run, and fourth with 19.2 points per contest allowed.

The return of Lee also provides the team with much-needed depth at the position along with another major playmaker at the position that has shown throughout his career that he can have a tremendous impact on the play of the defense. Beyond that, this strengthens the defense that should help their push toward the playoffs and possibly much further than that.