Dallas Cowboys’ Pro Bowl linebacker Leighton Vander Esch won’t return to the field this season, but he should be ready for the next. According to NFL Network, Vander Esch will undergo neck surgery in the coming days that will allow him to return to action before training camp in 2020.
Vander Esch played nine games in 2019, before being shut down due to neck injury. There was a concern that these issues, which he had since college, might jeopardize his NFL career. Luckily for the 23-year-old and Cowboys, further tests showed that minor procedure would be able to fix those issues and enable the player to return without limitations next season.
After finding out the news, Dallas decided to place Vander Esch on Injured Reserve.
Leighton Vander Esch had a spectacular rookie season in 2018 when he finished the year with 140 tackles, seven pass deflections, and two interceptions. This brought him a Pro Bowl appearance as well as Second-team All-Pro and PFWA All-Rookie Team selections.
Vander Esch continued in the same manner this season as well, having 72 tackles, three pass deflections, one forced fumble, and 0.5 sacks before being shut down due to the injury.
