The Dallas Cowboys’ loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars could only have been worse if there was a major injury. Everyone feared the worst when Leighton Vander Esch, star linebacker, was forced to rule out with a neck injury.
It appears that Vander Esch was able to dodge a major bullet. According to Michael Gehlken, a Cowboys insider from the Dallas Morning News MRI on Vander Esch showed that there was no neck injury.
Vander Esch is still fine, however. According to reports, he suffered from a nerve problem in his right shoulder and is now on week-to-week.
However, a neck injury could be worse than anything. Gehlken was informed by a source that the issue is not related to the neck.
Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch underwent an MRI this morning after neck injury Sunday, and it revealed a best-case scenario: It’s actually not a neck injury at all. Nerve issue in right shoulder. He is week to week. “Nothing to do with the neck,” person close to situation said.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 19, 2022
Leighton VanderEsch has had to deal with many injuries in the past few years, but has already outperformed his total production from last season in fewer matches.
Vander Esch is the Cowboys’ leader with 90 total tackles, his highest since his Pro Bowl rookie year in 2018. Vander Esch does a lot of the dirty work for Cowboys’ front seven.
While he is out, Dallas will definitely miss him. The bigger question is whether they’ll be able to keep him for the playoffs.
The news is, however, much better than what it was yesterday afternoon. We wish Vander Esch speedy and complete recovery.