Dallas Cowboys' Leighton Vander Esch Headed to Injured Reserve - The Messenger
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Dallas Cowboys’ Leighton Vander Esch Headed to Injured Reserve

The 27-year-old suffered a neck injury during the Cowboys' loss to the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday

Vander Esch is the Cowboys’ second-leading tackler.Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters on Thursday that the linebacker Leighton Vander Esch will be placed on injured reserve.

Vander Esch, 27, suffered a neck injury during Dallas' 42-10 to the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday.

As per being placed on injured reserve, the former first-round pick will be eligible to return in Week 11 -- the Cowboys have their bye week in Week 7.

Vander Esch has dealt with neck issues in the past, having missed seven games in 2019 and three games last season due to neck injuries. He also missed six games in 2020 due to a broken collarbone.

This season, he is second on the team in total tackles (with 30), behind fellow linebacker Damone Clark. The former Pro Bowler is in the first season of a two-year, $8 million contract he signed with Dallas in March.

The Cowboys (3-2) face the Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) on Monday Night Football in Week 6. Dallas trails the Philadelphia Eagles by two games in the NFC East.

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