Former Dallas LB Vander Esch retires from NFL

Ex-Dallas Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch is retiring after dealing with recurring neck problems in his 6-year career.

A 1^st-round selection in 2018, the linebacker set a Dallas rookie record with 176 tackles and was named to the Pro Bowl, as his “Wolf Hunter” nickname was shouted by the team’s fans. Vander Esch entered the league with questions about his neck and missed time because of neck problems in 2019 and in the past 2 seasons.

#Cowboys starting LB Leighton Vander Esch is medically retiring from football after a six-year career. With 557 tackles in 71 games, Vander Esch was a Pro Bowler before a neck injury ended his career.

Owner Jerry Jones said, “We’re proud that he wore the star on his helmet.” pic.twitter.com/q5t6lHn8cf

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Leighton had a procedure after missing 7 of the final 9 matches in 2019 and sustained a stinger that caused him to miss the final 4 regular-campaign matches in 2022 but played in the postseason. In the past campaign, he had an awkward collision with Micah Parsons after being pushed from behind by LT Trent Williams in the 2^nd quarter of Dallas’ Week 5 defeat against the 49ers.

He missed the rest of the season, and his retirement wasn’t unexpected in the league. A few days ago, the organization cut him with a failed physical designation.