Kristi Scales, the sideline reporter for the Dallas Cowboys radio network, answered questions about the team during a recent live chat. Here are some highlights:

Do you think Leighton Vander Esch has validated the Cowboys using their first-round pick on him?

Scales: First-round picks in the NFL have to be evaluated over the long haul, not just six games. That being said, Leighton Vander Esch is more than proving that he's worthy of a first-round selection. He's averaging 10 tackles per game and leads the team with 60 tackles. He's playing sideline-to-sideline and has shown tremendous range. He has one pass defense and has added one QB pressure and 1 tackle-for-loss.

Most importantly, there has not been as dramatic a drop-off in the defense's production in Sean Lee's absence over the past three games as in previous seasons when Lee has missed significant playing time. A huge part of the credit goes to Vander Esch, but also to Jaylon Smith who continues to grow before our eyes.

It will be interesting to see how the Cowboys coaches decide to work the linebacker rotation as Lee returns from a hamstring injury. Coach Garrett said during Wednesday's press conference of the rotation: "It's a work in progress."

This is a good dilemma for the coaching staff. In the past, an injury to Sean Lee was doom & gloom in Cowboys Nation. Now his return means an already productive group gets even better as Lee, Smith, and Vander Esch can keep each other fresh. And when we evaluate the linebacker corps, don't forget that Damien Wilson, the starter on the strong side, continues to improve every year. He gets less playing time because there is so much nickel being played (two linebackers instead of three), but Wilson is playing at a high level this year, too.

Is it too early to call Michael Gallup Jr. a bust?

Scales: Michael Gallup a bust? Absolutely not. Just the opposite, in fact. Gallup's playing time in increasing, not decreasing. Gallup had the most snaps (59 of 73 offensive plays) of any of the wide receivers in Sunday's win over the Jaguars. That increased his snap total to 202 for the season which is 52.9% of all offensive plays through six games. He's third in snaps totals behind only Allen Hurns (64.9%) and Cole Beasley (61%).

Gallup has only 7 catches this season, but he's averaging 15.6 yards-per-catch which is a very healthy number, third on the team behind Rico Gathers (23.0) and Tavon Austin (15.6). With Austin sidelined indefinitely with a groin injury, the offense will have to rely more on Gallup, not less.

Kristi...do you see Gallup as an up and comer?

Scales: Definitely. To borrow a Jerry phrase: his arrow is pointing up. First of all, you can call a 3rd round pick a bust just 6 games into his rookie season. But Gallup is getting more playing time because he deserves it. Those totals will likely increase even more because of injuries at the receiver position, most recently Tavon Austin's groin injury.

IF SEAN LEE IS HEALTHY THIS WEEK, PLAY HIM!! DON'T HOLD HIM UNTIL AFTER THE BYE!

Scales: If Sean Lee (hamstring) is able to work his way back onto the field this week in time for Sunday's game, play him! There are fans and media who will argue that resting Lee this weekend will buy him a couple extra weeks of recovery because the Cowboys have a bye in Week 8. While there is some merit in that argument, the simple fact is that as well as Leighton Vander Esch has played in Sean Lee's absence over the past three weeks, there is still only one Sean Lee. And if he's healthy, you've got to play him.

To borrow a Bill Parcells' quote: "Players play!"

And as Jason Garrett said on Wednesday: "When Sean Lee is healthy and ready to play, he'll play."

No Cowboys' defense is better at diagnosing plays. And while younger players are growing into larger leadership roles, Lee is still the undisputed leader of the defense.

Lee is a difference maker on defense. Always has been; it's just a matter of him being healthy. So if he can go, it's easy: GO!

As Garrett also points out, "We only have 16 of these per season", so there are no games to waste. Especially a key divisional game at Washington against a rival with first place on the line in the NFC East.

So for all you writers and talk show hosts that are debating whether or not Lee should be rested...well, good job of killing a posting/segment. But there is no question about it: play the man.

View the entire chat.