Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has died at the age of 24, his team have confirmed.
Kneeland was selected 56th overall in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft and made 11 appearances during his rookie season.
He had made seven appearances at the start of the 2025 campaign, with the Cowboys winning three and tying one of their nine matches in the NFC.
His last NFL match was on Monday, November 6 against Arizona Cardinals.
Kneeland scored his first career touchdown during the game, which the Cowboys lost 27-17.
In a statement confirming his death, Dallas Cowboys said: "It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning.
"Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family."
No cause of death has yet been given.
The NFL, meanwhile, have stated: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of Cowboys' Marshawn Kneeland.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend, Catalina, family, friends and his teammates. We have been in contact with the Cowboys and have offered support and counseling resources."
Kneeland spent four years playing college football in Western Michigan before being picked up by the Cowboys in the NFL draft.
He signed a four-year rookie contract which would have kept him with Dallas until the end of the 2027 season.
He was heavily praised by his team-mates and coaches ahead of his rookie season, the first part of which was disrupted by a knee injury that caused him to miss six matches.
Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said: "Marshawn's been great in camp. 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."
He was described as 'freakishly athletic' during his time in college football, with coach David Denham stating: "In the springtime, he would go on the field by himself and take his playbook and walkthrough things all by himself. That's when you started to see the gradual separation between him and some of the other guys."
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: NFL
Ryan Smart