Leighton Vander Esch Fantasy
- Height / Weight
- 6'4" / 256 lbs.
- Date of Birth (Age)
- February 8, 1996 (28)
- Experience
- 7th Season
- Drafted
- 2018 / Rd. 1 / Pk. 19 (DAL)
- College
- Boise State
Season Logs
Game Logs
Leighton Vander Esch News
Former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (neck) has decided to medically retire, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The 2018 first-round pick by Dallas spent six seasons with the organization, racking up 469 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three interceptions, 13 passes defended, and 25 run stuffs in 72 career games. He was named to the Pro Bowl and received All-Pro honors in his rookie season, but he battled injuries for the rest of his career. Vander Esch played in all of the team's games just twice in his six years in the NFL. In Week 5 of last season, he suffered a major neck injury, effectively ending his 2023 campaign. That appears to be the final straw for the 28-year-old as he heads into life after football.
The Dallas Cowboys are releasing linebacker Leighton Vander Esch after six seasons with the organization, according to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team. Vander Esch racked up 469 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three interceptions, 13 passes defended, and 25 run stuffs in 72 games after being selected by America's Team with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was named to the Pro Bowl and earned a second-team All-Pro selection in his rookie season, but he has struggled with injury issues since. Last year, Vander Esch played in just six games before suffering a season-ending neck injury. He will likely draw interest on the open market, but he'll probably be limited to a cheap, one-year contract.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (neck) will miss the rest of the 2023 season due to a neck injury, and the rest of his career is also in jeopardy, according to owner Jerry Jones. Esch has a long history of neck injuries and was also born with cervical spinal stenosis, so he is not going to return from Injured Reserve this year. It's a big loss for the Cowboys defense, as the 27-year-old was playing well before his latest neck injury this year with 30 tackles (17 solo) and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in five games for Dallas. The former first-rounder had a fusion procedure on his neck after the 2019 season and missed time with collarbone, ankle and neck injuries in 2020 and 2021. He also missed the final four games in last year's regular season due to a stinger. The Cowboys have moved Damone Clark to Vander Esch's spot.
Depth Chart
- Offense
- Defense