Mandatory minicamp is about to fire up for the Dallas Cowboys, but Leighton Vander Esch may not be on the field.

The team announced their 19th-overall pick sat out the final week of voluntary OTAs with what's being described as a minor ankle sprain and although there are no long-term concerns, the Cowboys held him out to prevent exacerbating the injury unnecessarily. To that end, the team hasn't yet determined if they'll allow him to lace up on June 12 either, taking it on a day-by-day basis. It's the wise call for the linebacker drafted to fill a gaping hole in the defensive second level, knowing the last thing they can withstand is a major injury at the position. Vander Esch was brought in to not only salve the wound of losing Anthony Hitchens in free agency, but to also provide insurance against any coming ailments to All-Pro talent Sean Lee, who missed five games in 2017 due to health issues.

The Cowboys went 1-4 without him in the lineup.

Even better than the news of his ankle sprain being minor is the fact Vander Esch doesn't have a history of injury, making this one that much more anomalous. Minicamp is a three-day affair followed by six weeks of vacation time before training camp begins in Oxnard, CA on July 26, giving the former Boise State star plenty of time to heal up before players throw on the shoulder pads for contact practices, when top-tier levels of preparation for the season begin. It matters much more to have him suited up in late July onward than it would to push the issue for a three-day stint in mid-June, something the Cowboys are deathly aware of.

It's not worth it to risk it and they know it, so if he is practicing during minicamp -- take it as a sign the ankle sprain was even more negligible than they're already proclaiming it to be.

Vander Esch made a name for himself in 2017 at Boise State, his tape and measurables earning him comparables to the legendary Brian Urlacher. Some view this pick as a reach and there's credence to that point, but it can't be denied Vander Esch will be an instant fit while creating a shuffle within the team's depth chart at LB. This belief is supported by the fact they received a top grade for making the call on the former Bronco, and taking the belief in the selection one step further, Pro Football Focus sees Vander Esch a top candidate to land 2018 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Following many comparisons to Brian Urlacher, the Hall of Famer himself spoke very highly of Vander Esch recently, noting he sees him "doing well" once he learns NFL terminology. The Cowboys have now bet a first-round pick on that being the case, so no one's side-eyeing them for protecting that investment early.