Cowboys’ Jerry Jones Addresses Potential Career-Ending Leighton Vander Esch Injury

The starting Dallas linebacker is facing a significant neck injury, according to team owner Jerry Jones.

Cowboys veteran linebacker Leighton Vander Esch will miss the rest of the season with a neck injury that has put his career in jeopardy, according to the Dallas Morning News. Team owner Jerry Jones discussed the injury during his radio spot Tuesday morning.

“He’s an integral part of that defense out there,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Tuesday. “We just wish him well, and just the nature of his potential injury here causes me to really think longer term and beyond what that means for next week or beyond what it means for next month. It has everything to do with what’s in his best interest.”

When asked whether Vander Esch will be able to play again, Jones responded, “I don’t know.”

“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.” 

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch will miss the rest of the 2023 season with a neck injury :: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports

Vander Esch hurt his neck on Oct. 8 against the 49ers and was eligible to come off injured reserve this week. However, the Cowboys linebacker is still dealing with lingering issues from the injury. 

This is not the first time in Vander Esch’s career that he has dealt with neck issues. He underwent a neck fusion surgery in 2019 that led to him missing the final nine games of the season. He missed additional time with a neck injury in ’21 as well. 

Outside of the neck issues, Vander Esch also broke his collarbone and hurt his ankle in the 2020 season.

In five games this season, Vander Esch recorded 30 tackles, including one tackle for loss, and returned a fumble for a touchdown.

The Cowboys face the Panthers on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET.