Marshawn Kneeland injury update: Dallas Cowboys DE to injured reserve amid meniscus tear

The Dallas Cowboys placed defensive end Marshawn Kneeland on injured reserve after suffering a meniscus tear in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He will miss at least four games, leading the the Cowboys to elevate defensive end Carl Lawson from the practice squad to the active roster.

Kneeland suffered the injury during the first quarter of the Sunday Night Football game. It was a non-contact injury, and the rookie defensive lineman was carted off the field.

“We don’t have a total timeline, but he’s scheduled for a procedure [on Tuesday], is the initial plan,” Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, said per the team’s official website. “We’ll see how that goes.”

Kneeland is not expected to miss the entire season. With him missing at least four games, Kneeland’s earliest return will be on Nov. 18 when the Cowboys host the Houston Texans. The good thing is the Cowboys have a bye week in Week 7, giving Kneeland extra time to rest and recover without missing an additional game.

Micah Parsons says Marshawn Kneeland will be a ‘great player’

Kneeland was selected in the second round of the year’s draft after playing college football at Western Michigan. Through five games this year, Kneeland has recorded 10 tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass defended in limited action. He was set to see more action following injuries to Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.

In August, Parsons gave a lot of praise to Kneeland. “I think he’s going to be a great player,” Parsons said, per the Cowboys’ official website. “I’m giving him comps, I think he’s a young Cam Jordan. I think he has the talent and ability. He’s just so hungry every day, willing to learn and he has that dog in him. He has unteachable characteristics.”

“Marshawn’s been great in camp,” defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said. “He’s working real hard on some of the pass rush stuff, because I don’t think he was as efficient in doing that. He’s been great against the run. He’s a worker and I think he’s going to continue to work.”