Marshawn Kneeland injury update: Cowboys DE receives diagnosis, to undergo surgery

Dallas Cowboys’ DE Marshawn Kneeland avoided serious injury Sunday night, but is still bound for surgery, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

“Sources: #Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland avoided a serious injury on Sunday night, per sources,” Schultz wrote on Twitter. “No ACL tear. But there is a lateral meniscus tear and Dr. Cooper will repair it tomorrow, per sources. But great news overall. Could’ve been way worse.”

Kneeland was carted to the locker room during the victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

During the broadcast, NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark updated his status.

“Mike you mentioned the Cowboys came to Pittsburgh without their two top pass rushers,” Stark began. “And now an injury to another defensive end. We saw Marshawn Kneeland. The athletic training staff checking the stability of his right knee. He spent some time in the medical tent. And then he was helped onto a cart, putting no weight on that right leg. Grimacing. Official word from the team, he’s questionable with a knee injury.”

Marshawn Kneeland reportedly bound for surgery

Kneeland left the game early in the first quarter. The Cowboys were already without their top three pass rushers: Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Sam Williams.

Kneeland was a second round pick (No. 56 overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Western Michigan by the Cowboys in April.

Over the course of five seasons, Kneeland had 148 total tackles, 80 solo tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, three pass deflections and three forced fumbles.

As a member of the Class of 2019, Kneeland was a three-star recruit out of Grand Rapids (Mich.) Godwin Heights Senior, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 70 overall prospect in the state, the No. 240 EDGE in the class and the No. 2,774 overall prospect in the class.