Vander Esch back in pads at practice

will improve dramatically.

Last year, Dallas forced 17 turnovers, tied for the sixthfewest in the league.

There were two layers to the situation. In six division games, the defense recorded a terrific 11 takeaways, tied for sixth-most in the league. But no team forced fewer than the Cowboys’ six takeaways in 10 nondivision games. Also, the Cowboys totaled a plus-5 turnover margin vs. the NFC East and minus-6 margin outside it.

In other words, the current competition level in the NFC East has a way of masking the Cowboys’ problems. They went 5-1 within the division and 3-7 outside it. The Giants are first up. Despite the presence of coordinator Jason Garrett, New York hasn’t totaled more than 295 yards of offense in a game. Meanwhile, the Cowboys haven’t allowed fewer than 380 yards; their other game totals are 412, 422 and, most recently, 508 yards against the Cleveland Browns.

With a minus-4 turnover differential, the Giants have scored an Nfl-low 49 points. This includes the aforementioned nine points

Starting middle linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, who’s on injured reserve with a broken collarbone, did some individual drills in full pads Thursday. It was his first practice since September.

A timetable for the return of Vander Esch, who was injured in the first half of the season opener at the Los Angeles Rams, remains elusive.

“I would say he’s ahead of schedule,” Mccarthy said. “... But obviously there’s medical procedures and (a) process that he must go through and clear.”