Cowboys' C.J. Goodwin, Leighton Vander Esch out for remainder of 2023 season

The Dallas Cowboys will be without linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and defensive back C.J. Goodwin for the remainder of the 2023 season. Goodwin, who was already expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a torn pectoral muscle, will undergo season-ending surgery.

There was hope that Vander Esch, who went on IR at the beginning of October, would be able to return this year from his neck injury, however, that’s not the case. Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones confirmed the bad news on Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan.

“It’s a very significant loss for us,” Jones said, via Jon Machota. “We just wish him well.”

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

A former first-round selection out of Boise State, Vander Esch is in his sixth season with Dallas. He also missed time last year because of a neck injury. He did not play in seven contests during the 2019 campaign due to a similar issue. Jones wouldn’t comment on whether he believes the injury could be career-ending.

In the offseason, the Cowboys inked Vander Esch to a two-year deal worth $11 million. That contract agreement came in March after spending the 2022 campaign on a one-year deal.

Since the starting middle linebacker has been out, Markquese Bell has been starting in his place. Bell has 43 tackles so far this season, including 3.5 tackles for loss. Lined up next to him, Damone Clark has 60 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss. Clark is in his second year out of LSU. The Cowboys drafted him in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Goodwin’s aggressive plan for recovery fails

Goodwin, a special teams ace, was hoping to make a return within six weeks, but ultimately, the cornerback’s injury required surgery. This year, the former California Vulcan has four tackles for the Cowboys.

Goodwin played the 2021 and 2022 seasons on a two-year, $3.5 million deal. He was the team’s special teams tackles leader in 2020 and 2021 and followed it up with an eight-tackle season in 2022.

The Cowboys special teamer is in his eighth season in the NFL. He’s had stints with Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Arizona, New York, Cincinnati and San Francisco. However, his tenure in Dallas has been the longest. Goodwin started his Cowboys career playing in three games in 2018 but became a staple in 2019.