Former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is retiring from the NFL after six seasons.
The Cowboys released Vander Esch on Friday.
Vander Esch, 28, dealt with a number of injuries throughout his time with the Cowboys, including a neck issue last season after he was pushed from behind leading to an awkward collision, which ultimately ended his season after five games.
As a rookie, he was named to the Pro Bowl, leading the Cowboys with 140 tackles, but neck issues that were a concern entering the draft continued to be an issue. In 2019, he missed seven of the final nine games with a neck injury that required surgery. In 2022, he missed the final four regular-season games with a stinger but returned for the two playoff games.
In the second quarter of the Week 5 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, left tackle Trent Williams pushed Vander Esch from behind, and his head collided with Micah Parsons‘ hip. The Cowboys prepared for Vander Esch’s departure by signing veteran Eric Kendricks to a one-year deal.
Selected in the first round by the Cowboys in the 2018 draft, Vander Esch has 469 tackles, 3 interceptions, 3.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in his career.
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