The Dallas Cowboys announced Thursday morning that defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has died. He was 24.

“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the team said in a written statement. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”

Kneeland, a second-round pick out of Western Michigan in the 2024 NFL Draft, appeared in 18 games with four starts across nearly two seasons in Dallas, recording 26 tackles and one sack. In his last game, a 27–17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night, he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for his first career touchdown.

A Grand Rapids, MI., native, Kneeland posted a career-high 57 tackles with seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in his final college season and earned Second-Team All-MAC honors.

His journey to the NFL was marked by profound personal loss.

As he prepared for the draft, Kneeland’s mother, Wendy, passed away suddenly. “It was definitely tough,” Kneeland said after getting drafted. “I just managed it. She helped me a lot in my younger years getting into football. I always had the dream. I always told her, ‘I’m going to the NFL’ and I made it.” He wore his mother’s ashes on a necklace after he was drafted.

No additional details were immediately available. The Cowboys asked for privacy for Kneeland’s loved ones as they grieve.