LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH NEWS

Full go to open playoff prep Vander Esch (neck) was a full participant during the Cowboys' practice Thursday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Trending toward return for playoffs Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that he's "very optimistic" about Vander Esch's (neck) status heading into the wild-card round of the playoffs, Patrik Walker of the team's...

Impact Vander Esch sustained a pinched nerve in his neck during the Week 15 loss to Jacksonville, leaving him sidelined for the final three games of the regular season. The 26-year-old now appears to be one of three Cowboys starters that are nearing a return from injury, as McCarthy said Vander Esch, center Tyler Biadasz (ankle) and defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins (pectoral) all "looked very positive" Monday. He also added that the team would see where they're at during Wednesday's practice, which should provide additional clarity on their status heading into the wild-card matchup against Tampa Bay on Monday, Jan. 16.

JANUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Vander Esch (neck) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Commanders.

Impact Vander Esch will miss a third straight game due to a neck injury he suffered during the team's Week 15 loss to Jacksonville. Damone Clark figures to remain a prominent part of Dallas' defense until Vander Esch is able to return.

JANUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leighton Vander Esch: I'm Ready Lineback Leighton Vander Esch updates the media on his injury status and chances on returning to the inline up in time for the Playoffs and...

JANUARY 2, 2023 • DALLASCOWBOYS.COM

Cowboys' Leighton Vander Esch Injury Decision: 'It's About the Playoffs' Leighton Vander Esch, the injured Dallas Cowboys linebacker, has missed the past two games. Will he suit up in Week 18 against the Washingto...

JANUARY 2, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Officially ruled out Vander Esch (neck) has been ruled out for Thursday's matchup against the Titans, Jane Slater of NFL Network reports.

Impact Vander Esch didn't practice during Week 17 prep due to a neck injury and wasn't expected to play Thursday, so it's not surprising to see him officially ruled out. Micah Parsons (hand) is questionable, so the Cowboys may be without two of their starting linebackers for Thursday's primetime matchup against Tennessee.

DECEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely to play Thursday Vander Esch (neck) did some resistance work at practice Tuesday but was labeled as DNP and isn't expected to play Thursday versus Tennessee, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning Ne...

Impact Vander Esch is dealing with a stinger that kept him sidelined for last week's win over the Eagles and has resulted in a pair of DNPs at practice so far this week. Given that Dallas plays the Titans on Thursday Night Football, it appears likely that the linebacker will be forced to miss another contest. Damone Clark is likely to again see more work if Vander Esch indeed remains out.

DECEMBER 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hurts out, Goedert in as Eagles visit NFC East rival Cowboys

Quarterback Jalen Hurts is out with a sprained throwing shoulder, and tight end Dallas Goedert is active as Philadelphia tries to clinch the top seed in the NFC in a visit to Dalla...

DECEMBER 24, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Leighton Vander Esch situation with the Dallas Cowboys "the ugly" of the NFL Cowboys’ linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is on a one-year deal and now he’s hurt with a familiar injury.

DECEMBER 23, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Won't play Week 16 Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy ruled out Vander Esch (shoulder) for Saturday's game against the Eagles, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Vander Esch was forced out during Sunday's loss to the Jaguars after he sustained a pinched nerve in his shoulder. While it's unclear how long this issue will keep the 26-year-old sidelined, he'll now sit out until at least Dallas' Week 17 game against Tennessee on Thursday Night Football. Vander Esch recorded 90 tackles, one sack and a pass defended over the first 13 games of the season, so his absence will likely leave Damone Clark to step into a bigger role for the time being.

DECEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch OUT vs. Eagles - But 'Very Fortunate' Mike McCarthy revealed on Monday that even after the positive MRI news Leighton Vander Esch will not play against the Philadelphia Eagles.

DECEMBER 19, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Avoids neck injury Vander Esch suffered a right shoulder stinger in Sunday's 40-34 loss to the Jaguars, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact In a positive turn of events, Vander Esch did not suffer a neck injury as originally reported, but he sustained a pinched nerve in his trapezius in his shoulder instead, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. After having surgery on his neck in 2019, another neck injury could have sidelined him for an extended period of time, so Monday's diagnosis is good news overall. The linebacker may still miss some time while nursing the shoulder injury, and if he's out for Week 16, Damone Clark will likely play an increased role on the defense for the time being.

DECEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cowboys Injuries: Leighton Vander Esch MRI on Neck a 'Concern' How serious is the injury to Leighton Vander Esch? The Dallas Cowboys await an MRI on Monday for the results.

DECEMBER 19, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Done for the day Vander Esch (neck) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Patrik Walker reports.

Impact Vander Esch departed Sunday's contest versus Jacksonville during the first quarter with a neck injury, and it's since been revealed that he won't return to action for the rest of the afternoon. Damone Clark is now in line for additional linebacker snaps alongside Anthony Barr and Micah Parsons.

DECEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Exits with injury Vander Esch is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Jaguars with a neck injury, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports

Impact Vander Esch was escorted to the locker room during the first quarter, per Gehlken, though the exact nature of this neck issue is still unclear. In his absence, Damone Clark will likely step up into a bigger role between fellow linebackers Anthony Barr and Micah Parsons.

DECEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Racks up 14 tackles in win Vander Esch recorded 14 tackles (nine solo) in Sunday's win over the Texans.

Impact He dominated from the middle of the Dallas defense against a run-heavy Houston game plan, setting a new season high in tackles and posting his best performance in that category since his rookie season. Vander Esch is up to 90 tackles on the year and is closing in on his second career campaign with triple digits, a figure he could reach in Week 15 against the Jaguars.

DECEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Available Sunday Vander Esch (illness) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Texans, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Impact Vander Esch was considered questionable after he was added to the injury report Friday with an illness, though he'll still be available for Sunday's contest. The 26-year-old recorded only one tackle against the Colts last week, and has 76 tackles (45 solo), one sack and one forced fumble through 12 games this year.

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up illness Vander Esch is questionable for Sunday's game against the Texans due to an illness, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Vander Esch was added to the injury report Friday due to an illness and is now in jeopardy of missing Sunday's contest. If he's sidelined, Damone Clark, Jabril Cox and Luke Gifford would emerge as options for increased snaps.

DECEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Leads Cowboys in tackles Vander Esch recorded eight tackles (five solo) during the Cowboys' 28-20 win over the Giants on Thursday.

Impact Vander Esch matched his season low with three tackles during last week's blowout win over Minnesota, but he bounced back during the Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day win. He's recorded at least five tackles in all but two of his appearances this year and has logged 75 tackles (44 solo), including a sack, along with a pass defense and forced fumble.

NOVEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Forces fumble in win Vander Esch forced a fumble and logged eight tackles (four solo) in Sunday's 49-29 win against the Bears.

Impact The 26-year-old forced his first turnover of the season as he stripped the ball loose from running back David Montgomery in the third quarter, which was returned 36 yards for a touchdown by fellow linebacker Micah Parsons. Vander Esch has now recorded at least eight tackles in four of his eight games this season, and he should be on pace to record over 100 total stops for the first time since his breakout rookie campaign.

NOVEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Double-digit tackles in win Vander Esch recorded a team-high 10 tackles (seven solo) in Sunday's win over the Lions.

Impact The fifth-year linebacker is having a resurgent campaign as the Cowboys' primary option in the middle of the defense while Micah Parsons gets deployed all over the field in a variety of roles. This was the first game this season in which Vander Esch reached double digits in tackles, but he's up to 49 stops through seven games -- if he can stay healthy, he's on pace for his best total since he piled up 140 tackles as a rookie in 2018.

OCTOBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Leighton Vander Esch Throws Reynolds to the Turf Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch throws Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds to the turf with a one-handed tackle.

OCTOBER 23, 2022 • DALLASCOWBOYS.COM

Leighton Vander Esch: Worrying About Us Not Them Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch talks about circling their rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles on the calendar, preparing for the Detroit L...

OCTOBER 20, 2022 • DALLASCOWBOYS.COM

Productive in Sunday's win Vander Esch recorded seven tackles, including one sack, and one pass defended in Sunday's win over the Bengals.

Impact The 26-year-old has put together two strong IDP performances in a row to begin the season after he racked up nine tackles in Week 1. With Micah Parsons increasingly being used as a pass rusher, Vander Esch is left to fill the middle linebacker role in the Dallas defense, and while his injury history makes him tough to rely on, he should continue to produce as long as he's on the field.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Leighton Vander Esch Gets Cowboys' 6th Sack Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch swarms Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow for the Cowboys' SIXTH sack of the game.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 • DALLASCOWBOYS.COM