The Cowboys are considering placing linebacker Leighton Vander Esch on injured reserve, coach Mike McCarthy said Monday.
Vander Esch injured his neck with 13:59 remaining in the fourth quarter when 49ers left tackle Trent Williams blocked Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons into Vander Esch. Vander Esch’s helmet jammed into Parsons’ side.
Vander Esch has a history of neck injuries, dating to his college days. He missed three games last season and seven in 2019 with neck issues.
A stint on injured reserve would cost him at least four weeks this season.
Core special teams player C.J. Goodwin is expected to go onto season-ending injured reserve after reportedly tearing a pectoral muscle.
Returner KaVontae Turpin, who scored the team’s only touchdown against the 49ers, has a chance to play next Monday night, McCarthy said. Turpin has an ankle injury, which a report indicated was a high-ankle sprain, but the Cowboys believe Turpin has a chance to practice.
