Cowboys Defensive End Did Not Participate Today After Donating Bl00d to Save His Mother’s Heart Valve Surgery! “What Marshawn did for his mother says everything about who he is. Football is important, but moments like these remind us what really matters. We support him fully.”

 The Dallas Cowboys opened practice this week missing one of their young defensive linemen, but his absence had nothing to do with football. Instead, it was about family, sacrifice, and a moment that transcended the game.

According to team sources, a second-year edge rusher was excused from drills after donating blood earlier this week to support his mother during a heart valve replacement surgery. The Cowboys listed him as

Did Not Participate, but emphasized that his priorities were exactly where they needed to be.

That player is Marshawn Kneeland, a defensive end drafted in the second round (No. 56 overall) out of Western Michigan in 2024. In his second season, Kneeland has carved out a meaningful role in Dan Quinn’s rotation, showing flashes of the disruptive potential Dallas envisioned when they picked him.

Through the first four games of the 2025 season, Kneeland has logged 8 combined tackles (4 solo, 4 assists), along with 1.0 sack for 8 yards in Week 1 vs. the Eagles

. He’s also credited with 3 quarterback pressures, ranking fifth on the team behind Sam Williams (5), Dante Fowler (4), Osa Odighizuwa (4), and Kenny Clark (3), per team reports

While he has yet to force a fumble or snag an interception, Kneeland’s consistent presence off the edge has been valuable for a defensive front still adjusting after major roster changes. His development remains a key storyline for Dallas in 2025.

Cowboys fans, who have already praised Kneeland’s growth from promising rookie to steady contributor, responded with an outpouring of support on social media. For many, the gesture was another sign that he embodies the toughness and loyalty they expect in a Cowboy.

While his absence today was noted on the practice report, Kneeland is expected back soon. And when he returns, he’ll carry with him not just the hunger to pressure quarterbacks, but also the strength of a son who put family first.

Cowboys Host Veteran CB for Workout Amid Secondary Injuries

The Dallas Cowboys are exploring ways to stabilize a secondary battered by injuries, and on Thursday, the team welcomed back a familiar veteran for a workout at The Star in Frisco.

With multiple defensive backs sidelined and inconsistency plaguing the unit, Dallas is considering all options ahead of a critical stretch of the season. Bringing in a proven defender underscores the front office’s urgency to shore up its pass coverage.

That veteran was Stephon Gilmore, who previously anchored the Cowboys’ secondary during the 2023 season. In his lone year with Dallas, Gilmore started all 17 games, logging 1,024 defensive snaps (88% of the unit’s total). He recorded 68 tackles (54 solo, 14 assists), 2 interceptions, 13 passes defensed, and 1 forced fumble — all while holding opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of just

Cowboys fans may recall his Week 1 interception against the New York Giants in a 40-0 victory, or his forced fumble against the Philadelphia Eagles that helped secure a statement 33-13 win. He remained a steady presence in coverage throughout the season, even delivering in the postseason loss to the Green Bay Packers with 4 tackles and a pass breakup.

While his 2024 stint in Minnesota fell short of expectations, Gilmore’s pedigree as a former Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl champion makes him one of the most experienced cornerbacks still available on the market.

For Dallas, reuniting with Gilmore could provide immediate stability to a defense that is still aiming for a deep playoff push. If Thursday’s workout proves successful, a deal could be finalized soon — giving the Cowboys a trusted veteran presence in the backfield at just the right time.