Dallas Cowboys: Placed Promising Rookie On Injured Reserve Ahead of Week 6!

Injuries have continued to pile up on the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive ends through their first five games of the 2024 season. Micah Parsons suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 4 against the New York Giants and missed their Week 5 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Parsons is close to returning for their Week 6 matchup against the Detroit Lions, but it’s unclear if he’ll play.

DeMarcus Lawrence suffered a Lisfranc injury in Week 4 but won’t require foot surgery since his bones aren’t displaced. Unlike Parsons, the Cowboys placed Lawrence on injured reserve a few days before their Week 5 game. He is looking at a 4-to-8-week recovery time.

To make matters worse, their replacement suffered an injury.

The Dallas Cowboys rookie suffered a knee injury

Dallas Cowboys, Marshawn Kneeland — Sep 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (94) walks off the field after the game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Marshawn Kneeland suffered a non-contact knee injury in the first quarter of last week’s game. Kneeland did not return for the rest of the game, as the medical staff carted him off the field. Mike McCarthy told the media on Monday they do not have an estimated timeline, but he will undergo a procedure this week.

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

The Cowboys defensive lineman dodged a bullet. An MRI on Monday determined that Kneeland did not suffer a season-ending ACL tear, as the ligament remained intact. Instead, he suffered a partial meniscus tear. Despite avoiding a catastrophic injury, he will miss some time.

He will miss at least the next four games

According to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth-Star Telegram, the Dallas Cowboys have placed Marshawn Kneeland on injured reserve. As Harris points out, the earliest Kneeland can return is Week 11, when they play against the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football, since a BYE week doesn’t count towards a week missed. He is looking at a 4-to-6-week recovery time.