Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland dies at 24

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, 24, has died, the team announced Thursday morning. The Cowboys described Kneeland as a beloved teammate and said their thoughts were with his girlfriend, Catalina, and his family. No cause of death or location has been released.

Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, also confirmed the player’s death on social media and asked for privacy for Kneeland’s loved ones. In a post, Perzley wrote that he was "shattered" and described Kneeland as a player who "poured his heart into every snap, every practice, and every moment on the field." The NFL said it was "deeply saddened" by the news, extended condolences to Kneeland’s family and teammates, and said it had offered support and counseling resources to the Cowboys organization.

A second-round pick by Dallas in the 2024 NFL Draft, Kneeland was in his second season with the Cowboys. He played in 18 games across two seasons, recording 26 tackles and one sack, and started several contests. In Monday night’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, Kneeland recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for his first NFL touchdown, a play that was his final appearance for the team before the announcement.