Cowboys Rumors: Marshawn Kneeland's Knee Injury Not Expected to Be Season-Ending
October 7, 2024
After suffering a right knee injury in Sunday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys rookie edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland reportedly avoided a worst-case scenario.
Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Kneeland did not suffer a torn ACL that would've cost him the remainder of the 2024 season. He suffered a partially-torn lateral meniscus that will be trimmed on Tuesday. Rapoport noted that there's a chance that Kneeland will be placed on injured reserve, but he's expected to be back on the field later in the year.
Kneeland appeared to suffer a noncontact injury to his right knee on just the fourth defensive play of Dallas' 20-17 win over Pittsburgh. He was helped to the blue medical tent before being carted back to the locker room for further examination and getting ruled out for the rest of the game.
A second-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft out of Western Michigan, Kneeland entered the game against Pittsburgh with six tackles, six quarterback pressures and a tackle for loss. Per ESPN's Todd Archer, the Cowboys "liked" what they saw so far from the 23-year-old and were depending on him in the wake of the multiple injuries they've had at the defensive end position.
Dallas was without star edge rusher Micah Parsons for the first time in his career due to a high ankle sprain suffered in last week's win over the New York Giants. Archer noted that he could be out for two to four weeks. Veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence suffered a Lisfranc injury in his right foot against the Giants and was placed on injured reserve, ruling him out for at least four games. Sam Williams, who was projected to be third on the depth chart, suffered a season-ending torn ACL early in training camp.
The Cowboys replaced Kneeland with second-year pro Tyrus Wheat against the Steelers. Chauncey Golston started the game opposite Kneeland, and veteran Carl Lawson was called up from the practice squad.
It looks like that will be the defensive end rotation for Dallas when the team returns to action in Week 6 against the Detroit Lions.