Marshawn Kneeland of the Cowboys Successfully Dodges Injury That Could End His Season
Rookie, Marshawn Kneeland
Marshawn Kneeland’s Injury and Anticipated Absence
In recent updates from Frisco, Texas, Dallas Cowboys’ rookie defensive end, Marshawn Kneeland, narrowly avoided a season-ending injury to his right knee. However, he will require surgery which may sideline him for four to six weeks, as per insider information. Medical evaluations on Monday confirmed that his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is undamaged, but arthroscopic surgery is needed for a meniscal tear. An ACL tear would have abruptly ended his season. If Kneeland’s surgery and subsequent rehabilitation proceed smoothly, he could potentially rejoin the team by mid-November following a period on injured reserve.
Despite the relatively positive news, Kneeland’s absence will undoubtedly affect the Cowboys defensive line which may also miss Micah Parsons for another week due to a high left ankle sprain. Additionally, DeMarcus Lawrence is on injured reserve with a Lisfranc injury to his right foot and is also projected to return by mid-November.
Impact of Kneeland’s Injury on the Team
Changes and Challenges Post Kneeland’s Injury
Kneeland sustained his injury during the fourth defensive play of the Cowboys’ 20-17 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers while tackling quarterback Justin Fields. He was promptly escorted to the blue medical tent and then to the locker room for further assessment; he did not return to the game.
In the absence of Parsons and Lawrence, the Cowboys fielded Kneeland and Chauncey Golston as starters and brought in Tyrus Wheat and Carl Lawson following Kneeland’s injury. Both Wheat and Lawson managed to half-sack against the Steelers and hurry the quarterback three times.
Post-match, head coach Mike McCarthy mentioned that some linebackers were prepped to step into that spot against the Steelers, anticipating further injuries. Lawson, who has been promoted from the practice squad for the past three games, must now be added to the 53-man roster to continue playing. It is plausible that the Cowboys might seek to reinforce the position with a new addition to the practice squad during Kneeland’s absence.
The defensive end group has been plagued by injuries since the beginning of training camp. Sam Williams, once anticipated to be the Cowboys’ third pass rusher behind Parsons and Lawrence, suffered a season-ending torn ACL during early practices in Oxnard, California.
