Cowboys back at work outside view of media after death of Marshawn Kneeland

The Dallas Cowboys returned to their practice facility in Frisco, Texas on Monday following their open week, but noticeably absent was the usual media coverage. The team is still grappling with the tragic death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who was in his second season with the team. Executive vice president Stephen Jones shared that the Cowboys are coordinating with Kneeland’s family to determine the best way to honor the late player, who had been a key contributor since joining the team as a second-round pick in 2024. Kneeland's death occurred early Thursday morning when police found him after a high-speed chase that ended with him fleeing on foot. Authorities reported that the 24-year-old defensive end died from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. The situation escalated after Kneeland failed to stop for a traffic stop, leading to the pursuit. Although police lost sight of his vehicle during the chase, they found him deceased about three hours later. The circumstances surrounding his passing have cast a somber shadow over the Cowboys organization and the NFL community. Stephen Jones spoke about the impact Kneeland’s death has had on the team during his radio show. He emphasized how moments like these put everything into perspective, reminding everyone that football is just a game, and there are far more important things than wins and losses. Despite the grief, Jones acknowledged the need to move forward and continue honoring Kneeland’s legacy through their work on and off the field. Over the weekend, the NFL directed all home teams to observe a moment of silence for Kneeland, coupled with announcements raising mental health awareness. Some teams also paid tribute to former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, whose passing was announced shortly before kickoff on Sunday. The Cowboys are set to play their next game on Monday night in Las Vegas, with their next home game scheduled for November 23 against division rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles. Kneeland’s contributions this season included his only career sack during the opener against the Eagles and a critical touchdown recovery from a blocked punt in a recent loss to Arizona. Police records revealed that as they searched for Kneeland, a dispatcher reported that people close to him had received a group text message in which he said goodbye. Concerns about his mental health were confirmed by information from his girlfriend, who told officers that he was armed and had a history of mental illness, adding she feared he might "end it all." Officers attempted to contact Kneeland through calls and texts and even deployed a drone to locate him after the crash. The exact location where his body was discovered has not been publicly shared. Jones recounted receiving the heartbreaking news late at night and described the emotional toll it took. He expressed how devastating such losses are, highlighting the personal pain experienced by those close to the player and the broader team community. Kneeland’s rookie season showed promise before he missed time due to a knee injury, and this season he had played in seven games, missing two due to an ankle injury. His energetic playing style and passion for the game had been evident since the Cowboys scouted him, making his loss all the more profound for the team and fans alike.