The Cowboys are preparing to be without starting linebacker Leighton Vander Esch for at least the next four weeks.
After coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that Vander Esch could be placed on injured reserve due to the neck injury he suffered in Sunday's blowout loss to the 49ers, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reports that the Cowboys 'plan to place' the linebacker on IR and are 'discussing' the possibility of adding a veteran linebacker from outside of the organization.
While speaking with the media, McCarthy said the organization is still "collecting information" on Vander Esch's injury before making a final determination about whether or not he would need to be placed on IR.
Players placed on the reserve/injured list can be designated to return after missing at least four games, and based off of Gehlken's report, 'there is hope' that Vander Esch cold be designated to return later this season.
Vander Esch injured his neck when 49ers left tackle Trent Williams blocked Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons into the linebacker, resulting in Vander Esch’s helmet appearing to jam into Parsons' side.
Vander Esch, who has been dealing with neck issues since his time at Boise State, had neck surgery in Dec. 2019 after being diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis. The injury limited him to just nine games during the 2019 season. He missed three games in 2022 due to a neck stinger, which was reportedly unrelated to his previous injury.
Vander Esch, who signed a two-year deal, $11 million deal with Dallas in the offseason, ranks second on the team with 20 total tackles.