On Friday, the Dallas Cowboys decided to cut linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.
The 28-year-old has only ever played for one NFL team, Dallas, after being taken by them with the 19th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
However, since he was in college, he has had neck ailments that have prevented him from realizing his full potential.
On October 8, 2023, during the Dallas Cowboys’ game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch walks off due to an injury.(USA TODAY Sports/Kyle Terada)
In his first season, Vander Esch was selected to the Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro; however, he was limited to just nine games due to spinal fusion surgery in his sophomore year.
He missed six games in 2020 due to neck and collarbone ailments, but he returned for the entire season the following year. After suffering a stinger in his neck that kept him out of four games in 2022, he missed the last 12 games of the previous season due to another neck injury sustained in an awkward collision with teammate Micah Parsons.
Although there appeared to be some questions, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones acknowledged he wasn’t sure if Vander Esch’s most recent injury will terminate his career.
At the time, he replied, “Let’s just put it like this, I don’t know.” “There are numerous contributing elements. He simply needs to wait and see how this heals before deciding whether or not he wants to say, “expose himself to injury,” going forward.
During his career, Vander Esch has worn a neck guard.
Dallas rejected Vander Esch’s rookie contract’s fifth-year option, in part due to neck problems, but signed him back for a one-year contract in 2022. His contract was for two years, with one year left on it.
Eric Kendricks, a linebacker who originally decided to join with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency but later changed his mind, was signed by the Cowboys on Friday. After serving as Kendricks’ head coach in Minnesota for his first seven NFL seasons, Mike Zimmer, the new defensive coordinator for Dallas, will rejoin with the 32-year-old.
On October 8, 2023, during the San Francisco 49ers game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, running back Jordan Mason of the San Francisco 49ers passes by linebackers Leighton Vander Esch and Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys.(USA TODAY Sports/Kyle Terada)
Additionally, Michael Gallup, a receiver selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, was released by Dallas on Friday. In 2019, Gallup recorded his lone 1,000-yard campaign with six touchdowns. But in his last two seasons combined, he only scored six touchdowns; in recent years, wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks have entered the mix.
