Tag: Marshawn Kneeland

Cowboys open 21-day practice window for pair of starters

From @ToddBrock24f7: Brandin Cooks developed a knee infection after Week 4’s win; Marshawn Kneeland went down in Week 5. Both should resume practicing Wednesday.

Reinforcements could be coming on both the offense and defense ahead of the Cowboys’ annual Thanksgiving gauntlet, even though it may be too late to salvage the greater 2024 season by the time they actually re-enter the lineup.

Wide receiver Brandin Cooks and rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland had their 21-day practice windows opened by the team on Wednesday. The Cowboys have three weeks to evaluate both players in a practice setting as they return from injury; that’s the deadline for either moving them back to the active roster or placing them on season-ending injured reserve.

Head coach Mike McCarthy had identified both players as being close to a return during a Tuesday press conference.

Cooks has been sidelined since just after the Cowboys’ Week 4 win over the Giants. Following the 20-15 win in which he caught just one pass for 16 yards, the 11th-year veteran, who had been dealing with a knee issue since training camp, underwent a meniscus procedure while in New York. The Cowboys’ WR2 option- behind CeeDee Lamb- developed an infection after that procedure, which led to him being placed on IR.

Cooks, 31, has 19 targets on the year, with nine receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown.

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Kneeland, the team’s second-round draft pick out of Western Michigan, exited Week 5’s win over Pittsburgh with a non-contact knee injury after just four snaps. While an MRI showed the ACL to be intact, arthroscopic surgery was required to repair the tear.

That injury proved especially costly for a team that was already perilously thin at defensive end well before mid-October; primary options Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence had gone down by that point, and Sam Williams was lost for the entire season during the summer.

Kneeland had registered 10 tackles, three QB hits, a defended pass, and a tackle for loss before his injury.

Both players are expected to resume practicing with the team on Wednesday, and both could be re-activated to the 53-man roster before Sunday’s divisional showdown with the Commanders. Someone else would need to be moved off the roster for that to happen.

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Cowboys 53-man roster after signing DE, flurry of moves for Week 6 vs Lions

The Dallas Cowboys had their busiest roster day of the season on Wednesday, making necessary changes thanks to the rash of injuries they’ve faced in recent weeks. The team continues to go through it at the defensive end position, moving second-round …

The Dallas Cowboys had their busiest roster day of the season on Wednesday, making necessary changes thanks to the rash of injuries they’ve faced in recent weeks. The team continues to go through it at the defensive end position, moving second-round rookie Marshawn Kneeland to the Reserve/Injured list where he joins DeMarcus Lawrence and Sam Williams. Kneeland suffered a meniscus tear and will miss a significant portion, but not all, of the season. Similar to Lawrence, he is expected to be back for the playoff push.

Meanwhile, the team has welcomed back All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland to practice as he has been designated to return, opening up his 21-day practice window. Listed a full participant on Wednesday’s practice report, there appears a chance for him to be activated this week ahead of their game against the Detroit Lions. Those were just two of five moves the club made.

The Cowboys signed DE Carl Lawson to the 53-man roster after elevating him from the practice squad a maximum of three times in the last three weeks. He’s played 52 defensive snaps over the last two weeks and was in on a sack of Steelers QB Justin Fields in Week 5. Filling his space on the practice squad is DE Luiji Vilain a 2022 UDFA who has played for Minnesota and Carolina. Also added to the practice squad is WR Seth Williams, a 2021 Denver Broncos’ sixth-round pick.

Each player on the practice squad can be called up to the big roster a total of 3 times and still revert back to the practice squad following the game without being released to the open market or waivers.

Each team can elevate two players per week through the regular season.

Elevations Remaining: 3

Elevations Remaining: 3

Elevations Remaining: 1 (Elevated in Week 4, Week 5)

Elevations Remaining: 3

Elevations Remaining: 3

Elevations Remaining: 3

Elevations Remaining: 3

Elevations Remaining: 3

Elevations Remaining: 3

Elevations Remaining: 3

Elevations Remaining: 3

Elevations Remaining: 3

Elevations Remaining: 2 (Elevated Week 2)

Elevations Remaining: 3

Elevations Remaining: 3

Bland was designated to return ahead of Week 6, with his 21-day activation window starting October 9.

Placed on IR in Week 5, eligible to have activation window opened Week 10.

Placed on IR in Week 5, eligible to have activation window opened Week 10.

Eligible to be have activation window opened in Week 11.

Jordan Phillips (wrist) was placed on IR ahead of Week 3. He’s eligible to return prior to Week 7, Dallas’ bye week.

Earliest return date: Week 5

Williams is out for the entire year.

Thomas was placed on IR before the initial 53, so he’s done for the year.

Bostick was placed on IR in training camp so he’s done for the year.

Report: Cowboys DE avoids season-ending injury but will require surgery

From @ToddBrock24f7: Marshawn Kneeland lasted just 4 plays in relief of 2 other injured Cowboys stars. He’ll miss at least a month with a partial meniscus tear.

When it rains, it pours. And not just from the clouds over Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Sunday night.

Once the game finally got underway after a lengthy weather delay, a Cowboys defender being asked to step up due to other injuries suffered one of his own just four snaps in.

Rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland suffered a partial meniscus tear on the first series of the night for the Cowboys defense. The injury came during a tackle of Steelers quarterback Justin Fields. Kneeland was carted off the sideline and did not return for the duration of Dallas’s 20-17 win over the Steelers.

Multiple outlets are reporting Monday that the second-round draft pick avoided a season-ending ACL tear, but he will need surgery to repair the damage in his right knee. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Kneeland could miss four to six weeks while he recovers.

The Western Michigan product is now the fourth edge rusher to go down with an injury this season for Dallas. Sam Williams was lost for the season in late July, Micah Parsons is considered week-to-week, and DeMarcus Lawrence will be on injured reserve through Nov. 3.

Kneeland will almost certainly be moved to IR as well as the team figures out a plan for at least the next month.

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Chauncey Golston, Tyrus Wheat, and Carl Lawson took on extra snaps versus the Steelers after Kneeland went down in the first quarter. All three ended the night notching half a sack on Fields.

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Another starting Cowboys DE leaves sideline on cart after injury vs Steelers

Rookie Marshawn Kneeland suffers an injury at one of the three spots the Cowboys can’t afford any more attrition. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys lost two starting edge rushers to injury in Week 4’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. With not much depth behind them, the club went out and poached a practice squad to get more help. Only KJ Henry wasn’t in town long enough to be activated for this week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. So without Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas was left to pressure Justin Fields, with rookie Marshawn Kneeland, and veterans Chauncey Golston, Carl Lawson and second-year man Tyrus Wheat.

Make that Golstron, Lawson and Wheat, as Marshawn Kneeland had to leave the game on the Steelers’ first drive with a leg injury. Kneeland was carted to the locker room after limping off the field.

A second-round rookie from Western Michigan, Kneeland has flashed on = occasion in the young season, though he has yet to register a sack on the young season.

The game is tied at 3 early as both teams scored field goals on their opening drives. Dallas had to punt on their next possession, giving the ball back to the Steelers at their own 26.

Cowboys Top-5 2024 draft picks all mentioned in Dane Brugler’s All-Rookie teams after 4 weeks

The Cowboys had more than their fair share of rookies make The Athletic All-Rookie teams through a quarter of the season. | From @KDDrummondNFL

There were 259 players selected in this past April’s NFL draft. Another 350 undrafted free agents signed with teams immediately following the weekend, adding over 600 new faces to NFL rosters. So for the Dallas Cowboys’ haul to have five different rookies be mentioned among the best rookie performers through the first four games of the season is impressive on it’s own.

For them to go five-for-five with their first five picks from the draft in being mentioned among the 90 best rookies identified by The Athletic’s draft guru Dane Brugler is a testament to Will McClay’s scouting department getting back on track in the immediate return department.

Brugler went position by position, identifying who he would name to the All-Rookie team, who would be the runner up and then added a varying number of honorable mentions. And while none of the Cowboys’ picks were named to the quote-unquote first team, they did have a runner up and four players in the honorable mention.

The math is easy; 32 teams, 90 players identified means the average team should have 2 to 3 players mentioned. Dallas had five. Part of that is the big ask being placed on this year’s rookie class to play early. Caelen Carson isn’t mentioned if Daron Bland doesn’t hurt his foot and go on IR. Two rookie OL don’t start if the team didn’t let Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz walk. But the fact remains the Cowboys’ rookie class is acquitting themselves extremely well so far in 2024.

Here’s who ranked where, according to Brugler.

LT Tyler Guyton – Honorable Mention for tackles
C Cooper Beebe – Runner-Up for interior OL
DE Marshawn Kneeland – Runner-Up for edge rushers
LB Marist Liafau – Runner-Up for linebackers
CB Caelen Carson – Runner-Up for cornerbacks

Week 2 vs Saints gives Cowboys rookies another opportunity to shine

After strong Week 1 performances, a seemingly deep group of rookies look to establish consistency against the Saints. | From @cdpiglet

Dallas put a lot of pressure on their rookie class this year by asking six different players to make significant contributions right from the start of the season. They excelled against the Cleveland Browns, what will they have in store for the New Orleans Saints?

In Week 1, Tyler Guyton had to start and play opposite the reigning defensive player of the year, Myles Garrett. Cooper Beebe started his first game as an NFL center and had to deal with the mammoth Dalvin Tomlinson. Caelen Carson had the tough task of covering former Cowboys receiver Amari Cooper, Marshawn Kneeland, and Brevyn Spann-Ford played plenty of snaps in rotation.

The rookies passed all the first tests with excellent grades. Beebe led all rookie offensive linemen in pass-blocking snaps without a pressure allowed, Carson held Cooper to only two receptions for 16 yards with two pass breakups, and Kneeland had six pressures, the third most on the team. Expectations will rise now, and the players might need to elevate their play depending on their matchup and expectations.

Guyton survived against Garrett and is now asked to handle veteran Cameron Jordan, one of the better defensive ends in the league. Carson has to try to lock up tough matchups in Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.  Kneeland faces off with fellow rookie Taliese Fuaga, who didn’t allow a single pressure in his first game. For rookies, it’s important to flash their upside, but imperative to establish consistency from week to week. Can this group loaded with potential have similar performances in Week 2?

You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or YouTube on the Across the Cowboys Podcast

‘Young Cam Jordan,’ Parsons heaps lofty expectations on new teammate

Micah Parsons offered up a brand-new player comp for Cowboys edge Marshawn Kneeland and it’s totally accurate. | From @ReidDHanson

Comps are inevitable when trying to describe a prospect’s NFL trajectory. Scouting reports offer strengths and weaknesses but it’s the player comparisons that offer real life examples. Some comps are spot-on while others are laughably absurd.

Marshawn Kneeland, the Cowboys second-round pick from the 2024 NFL draft, has drawn his share of comps since getting drafted. Wearing the star it’s understandable most of those comps point to 10-year veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. They play the same position, have comparable traits and project into similar roles.

But recent comps made by Micah Parsons ventured outside the box. Instead of likening the rookie to Lawrence, Parsons compared him to a different All-Pro edge player.

“I think he’s going to be a great player,” Parsons said of Kneeland. “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.”

Cam Jordan, a player with a career 444 tackles, six double-digit sack seasons, eight Pro Bowl bids, one All-Pro and 117.5 career sacks, is no modest comp to make. For over a decade he has been one of the best, most consistent and most well-rounded, edge players in the NFL. If that’s a realistic trajectory for Kneeland, the Cowboys would be over the moon. But is it a fair comp?

Looking back at scouting reports, the comparisons might just hold up.

In 2011 NFL Mocks said Jordan “has excellent short area quickness and athleticism,” even doubling down by calling his quickness “outstanding” and “among the best of defensive linemen his size.” Dane Brugler from the Athletic made similar statements about Kneeland, saying he’s “explosive in his movements” and “displays twitch throughout his frame.”

At 6-foot-4, 287-pounds with 35-inch arms, Jordan broke the mold at the DE position. Comparatively Kneeland measures in at 6-foot-3, 267-pounds with 34.5-inch arms. Kneeland is smaller but he’s proportionally similar and since he plays primarily out of an even man front (Jordan came from an odd man front), the comp holds up well.

NFL Mocks said Jordan has “ideal on-field intensity” and points out that he “works hard.” Brugler repeatedly cited Kneeland’s effort and personal drive in his scouting report as well, saying his “effort doesn’t quit.” As anyone who’s seen Kneeland work this summer in Oxnard can attest, his effort is every bit as advertised.

Walter Football said Jordan was “not an elite pass rusher” but “he will stop the run and disrupt the passing game,” finally decreeing him as a “very well-rounded player.” Pro Football Focus graded Kneeland as the epitome of a well-rounded player, earning an 84.7 pass rush grade and an 83.4 run stopping grade.

Both prospects are power rushers who have undeveloped pass rushing skills that make it seem as if their best football was/is ahead of them in the NFL. Both use their long arms and relentless motors to be strong at the point of attack and dominant against the run.

Based on player profiles entering the draft, both players are very similar and perfectly reasonable comps to one another. Keep in mind, Lawrence as a prospect wasn’t the well-rounded technically sound edge guru he is today. He was a bendy right edge player who adapted and became the base end he is now. Parsons’ comp of Kneeland to Jordan isn’t just acceptable, it’s probably better than the traditional comp of Lawrence.

While Jordan’s Hall-of-Fame worthy career certainly marks a ceiling for Kneeland, it’s a fair comparison to make when broken down to their respective scouting reports. Expecting a dominant rookie season from Kneeland may be far-fetched but it’s perfectly reasonable to expect a stellar career following the path of Jordan. For Parsons, it was a fair comp to make.

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‘Even better than me’: Cowboys’ DeMarcus Lawrence sees bright future for rookie protege

From @ToddBrock24f7: Lawrence says he has high hopes for rookie DE Marshawn Kneeland and previews the new Dallas defense under coordinator Mike Zimmer.

Entering his 11th NFL season, Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence is now one of the team’s elder statesmen. But that doesn’t mean the 32-year-old father of four has turned into the de facto team dad when it comes to motivating his younger defensive coworkers.

“Early in my career, I had a lot of rah-rah with me,” Lawrence said this week at Cowboys training camp in Oxnard. “I do that at home with the kids, so I’m not trying to come up here and holler at grown men. It’s really more a calming role: try to lead by teaching, going through the steps with the guys instead of trying to push them.”

A calming role? From someone with 58.5 sacks and over 400 career tackles?!?

The four-time Pro Bowler knows he has a responsibility to mentor those behind him on the depth chart to the same kind of on-the-field impact. That facet of his job will take on even more importance now that third-year breakout candidate Sam Williams has been lost to a season-ending injury.

Second-round draft pick Marshawn Kneeland will be expected to step up in a big way. And Lawrence already likes what he sees from the just-turned 23-year-old.

“He has a lot of ambition, grit with his game,” Lawrence admired. “His fundamentals are pretty clean, especially for a rookie. It’s a high ceiling for him. I’m going to keep working with him as much as I can. I definitely think he’s going to evolve into something even better than me.”

That’s a very high bar for Kneeland to aim for. The similarities between Lawrence and Kneeland are obvious, though. Both are listed at 6-foot 3. Both came from schools that aren’t exactly blue-blood powerhouse programs. Both were drafted by Dallas in the second round, almost 10 years apart to the day.

But the “DeMarcus Lawrence 2.0” moniker that some have already adopted for Kneeland? The beta version isn’t buying it.

“Not as much as y’all say,” Lawrence laughed. “Me is me. God didn’t make too many DeMarcus Lawrences, you know? At least that I know of. But Marshawn definitely has some instinctive play to his style. He’s down, dirty, gritty. He’s 275; I never played at 275, so it’s definitely a little difference, but I like the grit about him.”

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That grit should endear Kneeland to both Cowboys fans and his new defensive coordinator. Early reviews on what Mike Zimmer has brought to the unit already hint at what should be a noticeable change from Dan Quinn’s Dallas defenses of the past three years.

Lawrence confirmed it.

“With DQ, it was more about speed, using our speed to set up linemen. This year with Coach Z, it’s really details, working on our details, our fundamentals, staying in our gap, controlling our space, and we work our speed through that.”

And while Quinn was fiercely loved by his Cowboys players, Zimmer brings an uncompromising demand for excellence that made Lawrence practically light up when talking about him.

“He really cares about ball. It’s actually dope to have a coach that is not going to settle for nothing else but the best out of you.”

Sounds like a father figure, something about which Lawrence knows plenty.

Kneeland may be speaking about his own defensive mentor- Lawrence- in the same kind of revered tone very soon.

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No, Marshawn Kneeland isn’t a direct replacement for injured Cowboys DE Sam Williams

Marshawn Kneeland has a bright future on the Cowboys but keep expectations reasonable about what he’s asked to do. | From @ReidDHanson

When Cowboys third-year defensive end Sam Williams fell to a season-ending knee injury in camp this week, it opened the door for others down the depth chart. This “next man up” mentality isn’t unique to the Cowboys, it’s an inherent sentiment held in all competitive sports.

For young aspiring talents down the depth chart, an injury such as this can provide ample opportunity to increase snaps and showcase skills. Players such as Chauncey Golston, Junior Fehoko and Marshawn Kneeland should all see an increase in opportunity as a result of the injury.

The rookie Kneeland may stand to benefit the most of the three. Drafted in the second round, Kneeland is the most pedigreed of the three reserves. The 6-foot-3, 263-pound edge from Western Michigan has NFL-ready strength and work ethic. In training camp he’s shown he’s everything he was billed to be by scouts and displays all the characteristics of a starting caliber base-end in the NFL one day.

One day.

Some will say, with great opportunity comes great expectations, but expectations need to be reasonable for rookies and just because an opportunity opens, doesn’t mean the rookie fits it.

It would be nice if Kneeland could seamlessly slide right into that role this unfortunate injury opened, but Kneeland is a considerably different player than Williams. Both players are certified bulldogs but that’s probably where the similarities end.

Respected scout and Cowboys Nation’s favorite draft personality, Dane Brugler, described the two quite differently. He described Williams as “a quarterback hunter” and exciting “pass rush prospect.”  Kneeland, he describes as “a starting base” and someone who’s “still taking classes in the art of the pass rush.”

Based on Brugler’s descriptions, the two edge players play opposite sides of the line. Not that left side and right side mean as much as they used to, but the sides still matter to some degree. The right side is typically the explosive side, while the left, or base, is the more physical side. Williams served the explosive role while Kneeland projects at the physical role. This is where the fit becomes less clean.

Kneeland is an edge player who can take on extra responsibility as a run stuffer and two-gapper. He can play the screen, maintain his run fits and still apply a certain degree of pressure. In other words, he’s a lot like DeMarcus Lawrence.

Williams has been an edge player who’s best in space. He has had speed and explosiveness off the snap, and what he has lacked in bend, he has made up for in strength. Williams is the type of player who projects as a 10-sack edge someday. He may never garner a positive run-stopping grade but he’s a legit pressure player off the edge.

Kneeland is a player who’s realistically capped in 5-to-7 annual sack range. He’s an every-down player who thrives in his discipline and versatility, much like Lawrence. Kneeland’s biggest impact, in matters of pass rush, come in clean-up situations and stunts.

One guy will shine in the infamous pass rush win rate (PRWR) stat and the other will barely register on the scale. It’s not that one is better than the other, it’s that they play different roles.

As a matter of fact, Kneeland was graded by Brugler as DE5 (1-2 round grade) with Williams as DE17 with a late third-round grade, in their respective drafts. If anyone projects with a better future, it’s Kneeland. It’s just no one should think Kneeland can seamlessly fill Williams’ shoes because Williams filled a somewhat glamorous pass rusher role.

Where do we go from here: The Cowboys could flip Lawrence over to the right side and ask him to be the right edge he used to be as a younger player. It’s also possible the Cowboys could turn up their noses at this super convincing article and ask Kneeland to change from apple to orange as a prospect. The smarter move may be to explore options elsewhere or to consider all of the above and keep the situations fluid.

Whatever the decision, no one should change their expectations for Kneeland just because Williams’ injury opened a door. Because improved opportunity shouldn’t mean raised expectations for Cowboys rookie.

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How rookie Marshawn Kneeland can tie the Cowboys’ defensive line together

Rookie Marshawn Kneeland could tie the Cowboys’ defensive line together — he’s already got a lot of the skills Mike Zimmer prefers.

The Dallas Cowboys have perhaps the NFL’s most incendiary pass-rusher in Micah Parsons. That much, we know. What we don’t know at this point is what the rest of that Dallas pass rush will look like in 2024 and beyond, and that uncertainty has multiple sources.

First, there’s the switch in defensive coordinators from Dan Quinn to Mike Zimmer. Zimmer is a familiar face to longtime Cowboys fans of course; he was the team’s DC from 2000 through 2006, and his return to the team is an interesting wrinkle.

Then, there’s the talent around Parsons. Last season, Parsons led the team with 16 sacks and 106 total pressures. Behind that, there are veterans who still have some juice, like Demarcus Lawrence and his four sacks and 48 total pressures in 2023, and newer ascending players like Osa Odighizuwa and his three sacks and 44 total pressures in 2023.

Then, there’s Western Michigan rookie Marshawn Kneeland, one of the most disruptive defenders in this draft class. Dallas took Kneeland with the 56th overall pick in the second round after Kneeland totaled six sacks and 37 pressures in just 288 pass-rushing snaps for the Broncos in 2023. After a Senior Bowl week in which he proved to be just as dominant, Kneeland saw his profile moving up to match his tape.

“The number one thing about him is the high effort and motor that he plays with,” Cowboys Vice President of Player Personnel Will McClay said of Kneeland. “Then to be talented, physically talented enough to play at this level. We noticed him early on. [Brett] Maxie is the area scout who brought him to our attention early, and the more you watch him, the more you see NFL traits and the traits that we are looking for on the defensive side; playing hard all the time and having the ability to rush the passer outside and inside. We’ve talked about it before, as hard as DLaw [DeMarcus Lawrence] played at Boise State, there are some similarities there. That is what we thought about him.”

So, how will Kneeland fit into Zimmer’s defense, as different as it will be? Quinn was a big believer in heavy stunts and a lot of big nickel (three-safety) defenses, while Zimmer, at least through his last stop as the Minnesota Vikings’ head coach through 2021, was more about a 4-2-5 nickel base defense, some interesting looks in three-linebacker sets, and not quite as much stunting and gaming at the line of scrimmage.

One way Zimmer uses his linebackers is to mug them up on either side of the center, and blitz through the middle. That was the case throughout his career, and with Parsons and now Kneeland on his defense, Zimmer could really muck opposing passing games up something fierce.

Zimmer also has a knack for using gap-versatile players to their best advantages. Back with the Vikings, he had pass-rusher D.J. Wonnum, selected in the fourth round of the 2020 draft out of South Carolina. Like Kneeland, Wonnum is a hybrid-built player (6-foot-5, 258 pounds) who could win from more than one alignment, and had all kinds of ways of getting it done. In 2021, Zimmer’s last season, Wonnum had a career-high 42 total pressures, and when you look at the two players and their primary attributes, it’s easy to make the connection, giving us some idea of how Kneeland might be deployed.

It’s entirely possible that Zimmer learned and will employ new concepts in his return to the NFL — it’s common for coaches to do that after sabbaticals, whether voluntary or not. But it’s nice for the coach to have a new guy who fits the concepts he’s already known for so well.