Leighton Vander Esch's season is over, and his career is now in question.
The Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday morning that Vander Esch would miss the remainder of the season, and the linebacker's future in the NFL was up in the air. Minutes later, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones confirmed the report when he joined Shan and RJ for his weekly appearance on the home of the Cowboys.
"It would say (the report) is accurate," Jones said. "We had just completely left it up to how he was evolving. 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. 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."
When asked if he believed Vander Esch would be able to return to the field, Jones said he didn't know.
"There are a lot of factors involved,” Jones said. “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 was placed on injured reserve after injuring 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.
At the time of the injury, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reported that 'there is hope' that Vander Esch could be designated to return later this season. However, the team's tone appeared to change when EVP Stephen Jones told the K&C Masterpiece on 105.3 The Fan following the loss to the Eagles in Week 9 that Vander Esch's pending return was still "a question mark."
Second-year player Damone Clark has taken Vander Esch's spot in the starting lineup. The team signed free agent linebacker Rashaan Evans to the practice squad on Oct. 12 to give them depth at the position and quickly elevated him to the active roster. The former first round pick has made three appearances for the Cowboys and made his first start in Sunday's win over the Giants.
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, was ranked second on the team with 20 total tackles when he was injured.