The Dallas Cowboys on Friday released linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. The 28-year-old suffered another neck injury last season that has put his playing days in doubt.
The Dallas Cowboys made the decision to release linebacker Leighton Vander Esch on Friday. Dallas is the only team the 28-year-old has played for in the NFL, as the Cowboys selected him with the 19th overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. But neck injuries, dating all the way back to college, have limited him from tapping into his true potential.
Vander Esch was named to the Pro Bowl and a second-team All-Pro in his rookie season, but underwent spinal fusion surgery in his second season, limiting him to just nine games. Collarbone and neck injuries kept him out of six games in 2020, but he played a full season the following year. He missed four games in 2022 with a stinger in his neck, and then another neck injury following an awkward collision with teammate Micah Parsons caused him to miss the final 12 games last season.
Let’s just put it like this, I don’t know,' he said at the time. 'There are a lot of factors involved. 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 has worn a neck guard throughout his career.
Dallas on Friday also released receiver Michael Gallup, who was a third-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. Gallup had his only 1,000-yard season in 2019, scoring six touchdowns. However, he had just six touchdowns in his final two seasons combined, as wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks joined the fray in recent years. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
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