Former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman found dead in prison cell

Junior Siavii, who was a defensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks over a span from 2004 to 2010, was found dead in a Kansas federal prison on Thursday. He was 43 years old.

Siavii, who was being held at the prison while awaiting trial after being hit with multiple charges in 2019, was found unresponsive at the prison in Leavenworth, Kansas. He was taken to a nearby medical facility and pronounced dead.

Back in August 2019, Siavii was arrested for allegedly being a part of a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and had illegal firearms on him at the time.

Siavii played college football at Oregon before being the No. 36 pick in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He began his professional career for the Kansas City Chiefs, but played just two seasons for the organization due to knee injuries. After two years away from the game, Siavii signed with the Dallas Cowboys in January 2008 and had two stints with the franchise until September 2010.

Following Siavii’s time with the Cowboys, he was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks and played in 14 games for them in 2010 before being released in September 2011.

Dallas Cowboys update status of several key starters ahead of Wild Card matchup vs. 49ers

The Dallas Cowboys got some good news on Thursday as they prepare for their NFC Wild Card showdown vs. the San Francisco 49ers.

“Good news for the Cowboys, safety Jayron Kearse (hamstring), RB Tony Pollard and LT Tyron Smith (knee/ankle) were full participants in today’s practice,” Jon Machota tweeted.

Smith missed five games with an ankle injury and one due to COVID-19 protocols, but many believed the team was preserving the star left tackle for the playoffs and he could have played near the end of the regular season.

Pollard’s participation is just as notable for the Dallas Cowboys as he’s taken on a much larger role in the running attack this season.

Kearse has helped serve as a reliable starter in the back end of Dan Quinn’s defense, and with a surging San Francisco 49ers team coming to town this weekend, it will be important to have all hands on deck.

On3’s Sean Labar contributed to this report.