Player News
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The Cowboys released Vander Esch (neck) with a failed physical designation Friday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. The 2018 first-round pick missed the final 12 games of the Cowboys' season in 2023 due to a neck issue, and he's now been cut loose with a failed physical designation. Vander Esch has missed three-plus games in four of his six years in the NFL, appearing in 71 of Dallas' 99 games during that span. The 28-year-old linebacker is now free to sign with another team once he moves past his neck injury.
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Vander Esch (neck) is officially out for the season, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stated Tuesday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. Vander Esch, who has a long history of neck injuries and was born with cervical spinal stenosis, was not expected back anytime soon despite being eligible to return from injured reserve this week. There is concern that this latest neck injury may force the 27-year-old into retirement, but Jones declined to comment when asked about that possibility.
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The Cowboys are expected to place Vander Esch (neck) on injured reserve, Michael Gehlken and Calvin Watkins of DallasNews.com reports. Vander Esch injured his neck in the second half of Sunday's Week 5 loss to the 49ers after colliding with teammate Micah Parsons. He subsequently underwent X-rays, which fortunately were negative. However, he was born with cervical spinal stenosis, which leads to increased pinched nerves, and has dealt with neck issues since college. As a result, the Cowboys appear in line to exercise caution with their starting weak-side linebacker by sending him to IR to focus on a full recovery. His absence is sure to be felt, as he was the defense's signal-caller and second leading tackler on the season. In his absence, Malik Jefferson is likely to be the next-man-up.
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Vander Esch recorded 90 tackles (54 solo), including one sack, with one pass defended and one forced fumble over 14 regular-season games in 2022. The 26-year-old linebacker once again dealt with some neck issues, missing the final three games of the regular season due to a pinched nerve, but he returned for the playoffs and racked up 20 tackles across the Cowboys' two postseason contests. The late absences cost Vander Esch a chance to hit triple-digit tackles for the second time in his career, but it still was a good season overall. After playing 2022 under a one-year, $2 million prove-it deal, Vander Esch may have done enough to earn a bigger payday this offseason, whether from Dallas or another team.
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Vander Esch (neck) was a full participant during the Cowboys' practice Thursday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. Vander Esch missed the final three games of the regular season with a pinched nerve in his neck suffered Week 15 against Jacksonville. Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that the linebacker was one of three starters expected to return in time for Monday's wild-card bout against Tampa Bay, and he appears to be right on schedule heading into this game. Vander Esch recorded 90 tackles across 14 games during the regular season, marking his most significant production since his 140-tackle rookie campaign in 2018. He'll now reprise a prominent role alongside linebackers Micah Parsons and Anthony Barr.
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Completed Games
Scheduled Games
| WK | DATE | OPP | OPP RANK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 10/27 | @San Francisco | 6 |
| 9 | 11/03 | @Atlanta | 21 |
| 10 | 11/10 | Philadelphia | 5 |
| 11 | 11/18 | Houston | 19 |
| 12 | 11/24 | @Washington | 29 |
| 13 | 11/28 | New York | 25 |
| 14 | 12/09 | Cincinnati | 20 |
| 15 | 12/15 | @Carolina | 24 |
| 16 | 12/22 | Tampa Bay | 32 |
| 17 | 12/29 | @Philadelphia | 5 |
| 18 | 01/05 | Washington | 29 |