Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland passes away at age 24

Marshawn Kneeland (YouTube)

According to the Associated Press on Thursday, Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland of Grand Rapids, Michigan has passed away at the age of 24. The cause of death was an apparent suicide. There are reports at this time that Kneeland committed a traffic violation, and did not stop for the Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers. Kneeland then allegedly fled the scene on foot, and was found three hours later from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Kneeland spent the last two seasons with the Cowboys. This season he had 12 combined tackles (six solo tackles and six defensive tackles), three tackles for a loss, one quarterback hit and one sack.

In Kneeland’s career, he played 18 games, and had four starts. Kneeland had 26 combined tackles (15 solo tackles and 11 assisted tackles), five tackles for a loss, four quarterback hits, one pass deflection, one forced fumble and one sack. The pass deflection and fumble recovery came in Cowboys wins. The pass deflection came in a 33-17 Cowboys win over the Cleveland Browns on September  8, 2024. The fumble recovery came in a 30-14 Cowboys win over the Carolina Panthers on December 15, 2024.

The death of Kneeland came the same week the Cowboys tried to improve their defense at the trade deadline. On Tuesday, the Cowboys acquired defensive lineman Quinnen Williams of Birmingham, Alabama from the New York Jets for defensive tackle Mazi Smith of Southfield, Michigan, a conditional first round pick in 2027 and a second round pick in 2026. The Cowboys have the bye in Week 10 and next play in Las Vegas on November 17.