Dallas Cowboys rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland reportedly avoided a season-ending injury in his right knee but is expected to miss between four and six weeks with a torn lateral meniscus.
Initial concerns regarding Kneeland’s injury revolved around a torn ACL, which would have ended his season, but he will instead have surgery to trim his meniscus and is expected to return at some point this season, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.
Although Kneeland avoided a season-ending injury, he is likely to be placed on the injured reserve and would be forced to sit out a minimum of four games while he recovers from surgery.
This injury comes as the Cowboys’ defense continues to deal with major injuries to key players, including cornerback DaRon Bland, linebacker Micah Parsons, defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, and defensive tackle Sam Williams.
Kneeland was expected to play a minimal part during the 2024 season but quickly stepped into a more prominent following the injuries, resulting in the rookie seeing the field in all five of the Cowboys’ games.
These appearances have resulted in seven solo tackles and three assisted tackles, though he has yet to pick up a sack during his time on the field.
Dallas will now begin evaluating potential replacements for Kneeland as he recovers from his injury, with defensive end Carl Lawson standing out as the most likely player to be signed to the Cowboys’ roster.
Lawson has been elevated from the practice roster by the franchise three times this season and the Cowboys would now have to sign him to the active roster, which is a move that grows increasingly likely as the team manages these injuries.
Regardless, the Cowboys are now preparing to take on the Detroit Lions in Week 6 on Sunday at 3:25 p.m., where each team is looking to establish themselves as one of the best in the NFC.