Jason Garrett makes concerning remark about Leighton Vander Esch’s neck injury

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch has been battling a neck injury this season that will once again keep him out on Sunday. Jason Garrett tried to downplay the injury while speaking with the media about it on Friday, but one comment the coach made has fans a bit concerned.

Garrett confirmed that Vander Esch will not suit up against the New England Patriots, but he said the Cowboys are confident the injury is not career-threatening. The fact that he even mentioned that when discussing a 23-year-old player is unsettling, at the very least.

Jason Garrett doesn't think the injury is season or career threatening https://t.co/o2qy1IwnwH

— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) November 22, 2019

Vander Esch said he was not concerned about the injury when he first suffered it last month, but it has obviously lingered. He missed the team’s Week 9 game coming out of the bye but has played the last two weeks. Vander Esch recorded five tackles in last week’s win over the Detroit Lions.

The Cowboys are struggling defensively this season, so losing Vander Esch for any extended amount of time could potentially be a major problem.