Cowboys second-year DE Marshawn Kneeland dies at 24

The Dallas Cowboys said in a statement, "It is with great sadness that Marshawn Kneeland  tragically passed away this morning. Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers are with Marshawn, his girlfriend, Catalina, and his family."

He was 24 years old.

The team did not provide any details about Kneeland  's death.

Kneeland's agent, Jonathan Parzley, described Kneeland passing as "a pain I cannot express."

"I am deeply saddened to share that my client and dearest friend, Marshawn Kneeland , passed away last night," Parzley said in a statement. "I watched him struggle from an optimistic kid with a dream at Western Michigan to becoming a respected professional player for the Dallas Cowboys. Marshawn put his heart into every snap, every practice, and every moment on the field. Losing someone with his talent, passion, and kindness is a pain I cannot express.

"My heart goes out to his family, his teammates, and all who loved him, and I hope they receive the support of the entire football community during this unimaginable time. I ask that you please give his loved ones the privacy and sympathy they need as they grieve this immense loss."

The NFL released a statement saying it was "deeply saddened" by Kneeland's passing, and that the league has provided the Cowboys with "support and counseling resources."

Kneeland  was the Cowboys' second-round pick from Western Michigan in 2024, 56th overall. In Monday's loss to the Arizona Cardinals, he scored the Cowboys' first touchdown, recovering a blocked punt in the end zone.

The Cowboys are on their bye week and are not scheduled to return to practice until Monday.

He missed two games this season due to injury and recorded 15 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, and six quarterback hurries. As a rookie, he missed six games due to a knee injury and recorded 17 tackles, two tackles for loss, 13 quarterback pressures, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery.

Kneeland was a freshman at Western Michigan. Before attending Michigan, he set records for tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss at Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Michigan. In 38 collegiate games, he had 27.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three pass deflections. In 2023, he was selected to the All-Mid-American Conference second team, where he had 57 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 7.5 tackles for loss in nine games.

He is the second Cowboys player to die during the season in recent years. In 2012, linebacker Jerry Brown died in a car accident in which his teammate Josh Brent was driving.