Dallas Cowboys inform Leighton Vander Esch of release due to medical status

The Dallas Cowboys have reportedly informed former first-round pick Leighton Vander Esch that they are releasing him, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. Vander Esch will have a failed physical designation.

Vander Esch went on Injured Reserve after Week 5 due to a neck injury and never made it back to the active roster. There was concern at the time that the former first-rounder would miss not only the rest of the season due to injury, but also potentially end his career in the NFL.

Through the first five games of the 2023 season prior to injury, Vander Esch tallied 30 tackles, including 17 solo stops. He has also recovered one fumble. 

Injuries to the neck area have been an ongoing concern for Vander Esch since the 2019 season when he missed seven games. He also missed time last year because of a neck injury. A former first-round selection out of Boise State, the 2023 season was his sixth with Dallas.

In the offseason, the Cowboys inked Vander Esch to a two-year deal worth $8 million with $5 million guaranteed and a $2.5 million signing bonus. That contract agreement came in March after spending the 2022 campaign on a one-year deal.

The team is also releasing wide receiver Michael Gallup on Friday. Perhaps in anticipation of Vander Esch’s release, the Cowboys signed former Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.