Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, 24, died on Thursday, the team announced.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the team said in a statement. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
The team did not say where or how Kneeland died.
The Cowboys selected Kneeland with their second-round pick in the 2024 draft, the 56th overall selection. He played in 11 games during his rookie season and appeared in seven in 2025, recording his first career sack in Week 1.
On Monday, he scored a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals, recovering a blocked punt in the endzone.
A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kneeland attended Western Michigan University beginning in 2019. He almost transferred to play for Deion Sanders at Colorado in 2022 before deciding to remain in his home state. During his collegiate career, Kneeland recorded 149 tackles, 13 sacks and three forced fumbles in 38 games.
Before playing at Western Michigan, Kneeland attended Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Michigan, where he set school records for tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks and was a team captain. He was also a regional champion in track in the 400 meter and an all-conference high jumper.
In 18 career NFL games, Kneeland had 26 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one pass defended.
Dallas is currently in its bye week. The Cowboys’ next game is on Nov. 17.
