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

The Dallas Cowboys resumed practice Monday after their bye week, doing so away from the eyes of the media as they begin to process the tragic loss of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland. Kneeland, in his second NFL season and a former standout at Western Michigan, was found dead early Thursday following a police chase. Authorities believe he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after failing to pull over for a traffic stop and eventually fleeing on foot. The 24-year-old’s body was discovered about three hours after the incident, though police have not disclosed the exact location. Stephen Jones, the Cowboys’ executive vice president, mentioned that the team is still working closely with Kneeland’s family to determine the best way to honor the young player. Speaking on his Dallas radio show, Jones expressed the deep emotional impact of the loss, noting that it puts everything into perspective. Despite the heartbreaking situation, the team recognizes the need to return to their work, carrying the memory of Kneeland with them as they move forward. Over the weekend, the NFL directed teams to hold moments of silence in Kneeland’s honor alongside announcements about mental health awareness. Interestingly, some moments of silence also included tributes to former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, whose death was announced just before Sunday’s early games. The Cowboys are set to return to play next Monday night against Las Vegas, with their next home game scheduled for November 23rd against division rival Philadelphia. Kneeland’s playing style was characterized by high energy and hustle, attributes that stood out during scouting and early gameplay. Despite injuries that sidelined him during his rookie year and parts of this season, Kneeland showed flashes of promise, including his only career sack during this season’s opener against the Eagles. Just days before his passing, he even recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown in a loss to Arizona. The police pursuit began after a traffic stop attempt, with officers losing sight of Kneeland’s vehicle. During the search, dispatchers indicated that friends and family received a group text from Kneeland, which appeared to be a goodbye message, raising concerns about his well-being. Officers tried to contact him multiple times and even deployed a drone to aid in the search. It was reported that Kneeland was armed and had a history of mental illness, with someone close to him fearing he might "end it all." Jones recounted the moment he learned of Kneeland’s death as particularly devastating, describing it as a hole in the heart and the worst kind of tragic news anyone could receive. Kneeland’s promising career was unfortunately marred by injuries, including a knee injury that limited his playtime during his rookie year and an ankle issue this season that caused him to miss additional games. The team now faces the difficult challenge of coping with this loss while continuing their season.