It’s a sad day for Dallas Cowboys fans as the team has announced that linebacker Leighton Vander Esch will be out for the remainder of the season due to a neck injury. The 24-year-old was a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and has been an integral part of the Cowboys defense since then.
Vander Esch suffered the injury during the Cowboys’ Week 6 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. He had to be carted off the field and was immediately ruled out for the remainder of the game. After further evaluation, it was determined that Vander Esch would need to miss the rest of the season.
The Cowboys have already been dealing with a number of injuries this year, and this news is a major blow to their defense. Vander Esch has been a key player for the team, recording a total of 95 tackles, one interception, and one sack in his three seasons with the team. He was also named to the Pro Bowl in 2019.
The Cowboys will now have to find a way to replace Vander Esch in their lineup. They have already signed veteran linebacker Joe Thomas to help fill the void, but it remains to be seen if he can provide the same level of production that Vander Esch did.
It’s a tough situation for both the Cowboys and Vander Esch, as he will now have to focus on recovering from his injury and getting back to full health. The team will have to find a way to make up for his absence and continue their pursuit of a playoff berth.
