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Cowboys Defensive End Did Not Participate Today After Donating Bl00d to Save His Mother’s Heart Valve Surgery

Arlington, TX – 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.

 

Head coach Mike McCarthy spoke highly of the young defender’s choice: “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.”

 

 

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.

Chiefs Fan-Favourite WR Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is mourning a devastating personal loss following the team’s Week 5 matchup, as his cousin Justin Fuller, a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville. Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.” Rice, who grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose, has long credited that example with shaping his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Rashee that strength isn’t being unbreakable — it’s standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how Rashee lives and plays today.” As a featured target in the Chiefs’ offense, Rice has earned complete trust for his short-to-intermediate separation, yards-after-catch power (YAC), and chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Coaches describe him as “calm, focused, and mature beyond his years,” a disciplined route-runner who finds tight windows in the red zone. Through Week 5 of the 2025 season, Rice has no registered game statistics as he serves a league-issued six-game suspension to start the regular season; major stat services list no 2025 game logs to date.  The Kansas City Chiefs have provided time and private support for Rice and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. The FAA is investigating the incident, while messages commemorating “Spidey” continue to spread nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. Rice kept his public remarks brief before leaving in the embrace of teammates:“Spidey always told me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”