DALLAS — Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is now out for the season, according to owner and general manager Jerry Jones.
Vander Esch injured his neck on Oct. 8 against the San Francisco 49ers and was eligible to come off injured reserve this week, but Jones told Shan and RJ on 105.3 The Fan that the linebacker's season was over and also cast some concern for his future beyond this season, as well.
"We had just completely left it up to how he was evolving, but of course it's such a very significant loss for us," Jones said. "[Vander Esch is] an integral part of that defense out there. We just wish him well, and just 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. It has everything to do with what's best in his interest."
Vander Esch got injured on a play in which he was pushed from behind into the right leg of Micah Parsons, jamming his neck.
Through five games played this season, the linebacker racked up 35 tackles, one tackle for loss, two quarterback pressures and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
This is not the first time Vander Esch has battled with neck injuries, either. The Cowboys drafted the Boise State linebacker in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft despite missing half of the 2016 season with a pinched nerve in his neck. Then, Vander Esch missed seven games in 2019 and six more in 2020. After that, he got neck surgery to help fix nerve issues.
In Vander Esch's absence, Dallas has moved Damone Clark into that spot on the defense.
Listen to Jones talk about the injury on 105.3 The Fan here:
More Texas headlines: