Star defender has neck injury
Leighton Vander Esch is one of the most promising young linebackers in the NFL. The 23-year-old was the Cowboys’ first-round pick in 2018 and the third one taken in that draft behind Buffalo’s Tremaine Edmunds. Pro Football Focus ranks his as the 50th best linebacker in the NFL currently. But he’s out, Jerry Jones confirmed on Tuesday.
Any neck injury is a scary one and he’s had a history of neck injuries. Dating back to his college days at Boise State, Vander Esch missed time due to neck injures, so it’s a bit of a growing concern for him and the reason why he might’ve been off Buffalo’s radar at the 2018 draft. Vander Esch was previously labeled as a “week-to-week” injury by Jason Garrett.
The linebacker has recorded 72 tackles, three passes defended and a forced fumble in nine games this season and missed last week’s 13-9 Cowboys loss vs. the Patriots due to the injury. Veteran Sean Lee will fill in for Vander Esch once again against the Bills.
The NFL is full of elite Linebackers who can hit, but how many of them can tackle two players at once?
Leighton Vander Esch is a different breed. #CowboysNation pic.twitter.com/kgLb0dusAS
— Lennon Rush (@LRushDFW) August 24, 2019