Leighton

Vander Esch

Due to medical concerns over a neck injury, Vander Esch, who was a Pro Bowler and Second-team All-Pro in 2018, has opted to call it a career. The former first-round pick, who turned 28 in February, was limited to only five games in 2023 due to his neck injury and has battled neck injuries dating back to his days at Boise State. Vander Esch totaled 469 tackles, 13 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks for his career and had signed a two-year deal with the Cowboys last offseason after playing in 14 games.

Vander Esch has struggled with neck issues in recent years and is still dealing with them as of two weeks ago. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones met with Vander Esch recently to discuss his future. According to Jones, a decision would go beyond football, concerning his “long-term well-being and life.” It sounds like the neck issue could ultimately spell the end of Vander Esch’s career. The former first-round pick has played in Dallas for all six years of his career. If he chooses to keep playing, it will be in a new home for the first time.

According to Watkins, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones met with Vander Esch’s agent “to discuss his future.” Jones was quoted as saying, “It’s divorced from a decision of football. In his case, football is a big part of his life and his professional life, and his career. It has to do with his long-term well-being and long-term life.” Vander Esch has dealt with a handful of neck injuries in recent years and was placed on injured reserve last November with a season-ending neck injury. Vander Esch, 28, totaled 30 tackles last season and 90 tackles and one sack in 2022. It goes without saying that whether or not Vander Esch continues to play appears very much up in the air.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed the news in a Tuesday morning radio interview. Vander Esch sustained the neck injury in Week 5 against the 49ers and has not played or practiced since. The standout linebacker has played through neck issues for his entire NFL career, though he has missed significant time during those six seasons. He had 17 solo tackles and one tackle for a loss before his season-ending injury.

Vander Esch would miss at least the next four games if the Cowboys opt to place him on injured reserve. The exact nature of Vander Esch’s injury isn’t quite known, but Vander Esch is a player who has dealt with neck injuries dating back to his college days at Boise State. Given his history, the best thing for Vander Esch could be a stint on injured reserve to ensure he is fully healed before returning to the field.

We don’t know the severity of Vander Esch’s injury, but this could be something to watch heading into the Cowboys’ Week 6 matchup against the Chargers. Vander Esch totaled 10 tackles in the Cowboys’ loss to the 49ers, and has 30 tackles and a defensive score this season. With the Cowboys not playing until Monday night, Vander Esch will have some extra time to heal up.

Headed into his age-27 campaign, Vander Esch’s injury issues have finally calmed down a bit, though he still missed three contests in 2022 after his 17-game 2021. He was an every-down player when he did suit up, making a few big plays while holding his own against the run. After looking like a potential All-Pro in the early days of his career, LVE has settled in as a good-but-not-great option in the middle of the field.

Van Esch hasn’t played since hurting his shoulder in Week 15 against the Jaguars. Dallas’ defense is certainly better with the hyper-aggressive Vander Esch chasing down ball carriers and covering running backs and tight ends in the short area of the field. The oft-injured linebacker has a chance to suit up for Monday’s playoff game against the Bucs.

Dealing with what was initially believed to be a neck injury, it was later determined that Vander Esch suffered a shoulder injury in the Cowboy’s Week 15 loss to the Jaguars. Vander Esch’s injury isn’t believed to be season-ending, but the team did not offer a timeline on when they’d expect him to return. Rookie linebacker Damone Clark will likely fill in for Vander Esch, after seeing significant snaps in Week 15.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy told reporters after the game: ""I’m concerned, obviously. I think everybody is concerned based on his history.” Vander Esch underwent neck surgery early in his NFL career that threatened his ability to continue playing the game. The Cowboys have every right to be concerned. Rookie Damone Clark played extensively in Vander Esch’s absence.