Leighton Vander Esch out for season. Jerry Jones weighs in on linebacker's future.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch will miss the remainder of the season with a neck injury.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed that Vander Esch, who has not played for Dallas since Week 6, will not return this season during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Tuesday.
"We had just completely left it up to how he was evolving," Jones said. "But of course, it's a very significant loss for us. He's an integral part of that defense out there. We just wish him well."
Vander Esch injured his neck on Oct. 15 when San Francisco offensive lineman Trent Williams pushed Vander Esch headfirst into teammate Micah Parsons in the Cowboys' 42-10 loss to the 49ers. He was placed on injured reserve the following day and eligible to return in Week 11, but Jones said he won't return to the field this season.
In five games (all starts) played this season, Vander Esch recorded 30 total tackles and a fumble recovery touchdown, the first of his NFL career in the Cowboys' Week 4 win against the New England Patriots.
Vander Esch's career has been plagued by a series of neck-related injuries.
His sophomore campaign was limited to only nine games (all starts) after he underwent surgery to treat a nerve issue in his neck in 2019. He underwent surgery again the following season after he broke his collarbone in the Cowboys' season opener and missed the final four games of last season with a neck stinger.
Jones said Vander Esch's history of neck injuries is cause for concern and leaves many, including Jones himself, wondering if Vander Esch will ever play again.
"The nature of his potential injury here causes me to really think longer term and beyond what it means for next week or beyond what it means for next month relative to the team. It has everything to do with what's in his best interest," Jones said. "He just really needs to see how this continues to heal, and then go from that point as to whether or not he would want to continue to say, expose himself to injury."
Vander Esch was selected out of Boise State by the Cowboys with the 19th overall pick of the 2018 NFL draft. In 71 career games (65 starts), Vander Esch has recorded 469 total tackles, 13 passes defended, 13 tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, 3.5 sacks and three interceptions.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Leighton Vander Esch to miss rest of Cowboys season with neck injury
