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FRISCO – Leighton Vander Esch being ruled out for the rest of the season due to his neck injury is not a surprise; as CowboysSI.com reported over the weekend, there was “skepticism” about the ideas of the standout linebacker returning to the field this year for the Dallas Cowboys.
But now, as Cowboys owner on Tuesday not only confirmed that but also hinted at the possibility of Vander Esch retirement, a source close to the situation is providing insight into the player’s present thinking.
“Premature,” the source said. “We’re a long way from that decision.”
That bit of clarity – however temporary it might end up being – comes on the heels of Jones calling the end to Vander Esch’s season “such a very significant loss for us.”
Said Jones on 105.3 The Fan: “He’s an integral part of that defense out there. We just wish him well, and just the nature of his potential injury here causes me to really think longer term and beyond what it means for next week or beyond what it means for next month. It has everything to do with what’s best in his interest.”
And obviously, that is where the concept of retirement becomes a natural question.
