At 6-3, the Dallas Cowboys are right in the thick of the NFC playoff picture.
As the biggest brand with the largest fan base in the sport, all eyes will be on the Boys to see if they can FINALLY get over the hump and reach the Super Bowl.
However, if they’re going to do that this season, they will have to do so without one of their most important defensive players – linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.
The 27-year-old has been sidelined since sustaining a neck injury during the Cowboys Week 5 showdown against the San Francisco 49ers.
TRENDING: Some #Cowboys fans are blaming #49ers T Trent Williams for potentially ending Leighton Vander Esch career due to this “dirty block in the back play”
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) November 14, 2023
He was set to return this week from injured reserve. However, lingering symptoms have dashed hopes for his comeback to the team.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones delivered the disappointing news during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas.
“We had just completely left it up to how he was evolving,” Jones stated. “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.”
Most concerning is the fact that the injury may affect Vander Esch’s career in the long-term.
“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 added.
Breaking: Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch is out for the remainder of the season and his career is in question due to a neck injury, Jerry Jones announced on 105.3 The Fan.
Story here: https://t.co/AZ0JuINK2p pic.twitter.com/anBgGTRMOx
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 14, 2023
Vander Esch’s history with neck issues is adding to the gravity of the situation.
In 2019, he missed seven games due to an injury, later undergoing a fusion procedure during the offseason after being diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis – a narrowing of the spinal column in the neck.
The linebacker’s 2022 season also ended prematurely as he was forced to sit out the Cowboys final four regular-season games due to a neck stinger.
Jones acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and refrained from making definitive statements about Vander Esch’s future on the field.
He emphasized that the decision to continue playing rests primarily on the linebacker’s personal choice.
“It’s too soon to say if Vander Esch will be able to play again,” Jones admitted. “There are a lot of factors involved. But 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 joins cornerback Trevon Diggs as key Cowboy defenders ruled out for the season.
Will the injuries eventually catch up to Dallas?
Is this the year they FINALLY get over the hump?
Will their fatal flaw once again be quarterback Dak Prescott???