Sources -- Cowboys release Leighton Vander Esch, Michael Gallup - ESPN

FRISCO, Texas — In 2018, the Dallas Cowboys drafted linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and wide receiver Michael Gallup in the first and third rounds, respectively. On Friday, the Cowboys released both players, sources told ESPN.

Vander Esch was released with a failed physical designation, while Gallup was listed as a post-June 1 cut. The Gallup decision opens up $9.5 million in cap space this season, but he will count $8.7 million against the 2025 salary cap.

Vander Esch, 28, dealt with a number of injuries throughout his six-year career with the Cowboys, including a neck issue last season after he was pushed from behind leading to an awkward collision, which ultimately ended his season after five games.

As a rookie, he was named to the Pro Bowl, leading the Cowboys with 176 tackles, but neck issues that were a concern entering the draft continued to be an issue. In 2019, he missed seven of the final nine games with a neck injury that required surgery. In 2022, he missed the final four regular-season games with a stinger but returned for the two playoff games.

In the second quarter of the Week 5 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, left tackle Trent Williams pushed Vander Esch from behind, and his head collided with Micah Parsons' hip. The Cowboys prepared for Vander Esch's departure by signing veteran Eric Kendricks to a one-year deal.

An injury played a part in the Gallup move as well.

After tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee late in the 2021 season, the Cowboys signed him to a five-year, $57.5 million deal in 2022, but he was unable to regain the form that saw him average 15.5 yards per catch. After the injury, Gallup caught 73 passes for 842 yards and six touchdowns and did not record a 100-yard game