Cowboys catch major break with Leighton Vander Esch injury update
By Jerry Trotta
Injuries are cropping up at the wrong time for the Dallas Cowboys. Last week, it was Terence Steele whose premature exit sent fans into a state of panic, and rightfully so given he suffered a torn ACL and MCL. Sunday against the Jaguars, Leighton Vander Esch filled those shoes.
Initially, Vander Esch — enjoying a rock-solid season after he re-signed with the Cowboys on a one-year contract in the offseason — was being treated for a possible concussion. Minutes later, Dallas announced its former first-round pick was questionable to return due to a neck injury.
Shortly thereafter, Vander Esch was ruled out for the game.
To say the Cowboys missed the linebacker’s presence in the second level of the defense would be an understatement. On multiple occasions, Anthony Barr filled the wrong gap against the run, and was overwhelmed in coverage.
While Vander Esch is expected to miss time, Dallas avoided a worst-case scenario with the former Pro Bowler. In a colossal sigh of relief, Vander Esch didn’t suffer a neck injury as initially reported, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
It’s a right shoulder stringer for Vander Esch. More importantly, the injury is NOT related to the player’s scary neck issue from 2019.
The MRI on #Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch actually revealed a right shoulder stinger, not a neck injury, source said. While he did have a neck issue a years ago, the MRI and CT scan cleared it and this issue is unrelated. He’s still sore and may miss time, but overall good news
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 19, 2022
Cowboys’ Leighton Vander Esch avoids neck injury, will miss time with shoulder stinger.
Not ideal by any stretch of the imagination, but the fact Vander Esch avoided a neck injury is a huge win for the Cowboys, and LVE’s career. The Boise State product has dealt with multiple neck injuries in his career, beginning in 2016 with the Broncos when he missed seven games with a pinched nerve in his neck.
After putting together a Pro Bowl rookie season in 2018, Vander Esch’s career was upended by a neck injury in 2019. He ultimately underwent surgery to repair the nerve issues that sidelined him for seven games. Vander Esch returned in 2020, but was limited to 10 games due to a broken collarbone and an ankle injury.
Who knows what happens to Vander Esch’s career if he suffered another serious neck injury on Sunday. Luckily, we don’t have to go down that rabbit hole. Even better? The expectation is the 26-year-old will be back this season. He has a week-to-week timeframe, though it might be smart to sit him until the playoffs.
Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch underwent an MRI this morning after neck injury Sunday, and it revealed a best-case scenario: It’s actually not a neck injury at all. Nerve issue in right shoulder. He is week to week. “Nothing to do with the neck,” person close to situation said.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 19, 2022
In the meantime, this is still tough news for the Cowboys. For the season, Vander Esch just edges out Donovan Wilson for the team lead in tackles.
Additionally, he owns a 70.8 player grade from Pro Football Focus, and his commanding presence has allowed Micah Parsons to embrace a full-time role as a pass rusher, and done a lot to paper over Barr’s deficiencies as an aging linebacker.
It’s difficult to find a silver lining in losing a critical player this late in the season, but this update is a massive relief for Vander Esch and the Cowboys given the mood surrounding the injury when he was removed form the game.
