Former Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch announces retirement

Leighton Vander Esch has announced his retirement from the NFL.

The 28-year-old played his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys, having recorded 469 tackles (269 solo), 13 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks. He also defended 13 passes and forced three fumbles.

“Playing for the Jones family [and the coaching staff] have been the best days of my life. My dream of playing for the Dallas Cowboys came to reality on April 26, 2018. … During my six years as a Cowboys player, I’ve always pursued success and winning football games, while preparing and training with the highest standards of competition, passion and perseverance. It has been an honor to represent my family, teammates and the people of Dallas.”

[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]

A first-round pick of the team in 2018, Vander Esch, who played eight-man football at his Idaho high school, made an immediate impact with the ‘Boys. He earned second-team All-Pro honors, plus a Pro Bowl bid, after posting 140 tackles, seven passes deflected and two picks in his rookie season.

But injuries – mainly a neck issue – derailed his progression. He first began experiencing neck ailments during his tenure at Boise State, where he began wearing a cowboy collar. He underwent corrective surgery in his second NFL season and suffered a broken collarbone in his third.

Dallas declined his fifth-year option amid injury issues heading into 2022, and he signed a one-year deal with the squad. But he missed substantial time in both 2022 and 2023, playing just five games in the latter year.

&amp;nbsp;