Boston University’s CTE Center has diagnosed former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland with Stage 1 chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The confirmation arrived Tuesday, eight months after the former player died by suicide following a police pursuit in November.
Kneeland’s family and his partner, Catalina Mancera, released a statement regarding the diagnosis. They noted that the medical finding does not alter the tragedy of his death but offers context for the challenges he may have faced. The family emphasized that raising awareness about the struggles of athletes in high-contact sports is important to them. They asked that Kneeland be remembered with compassion for his life rather than defined by his final moments.
The diagnosis follows Kneeland’s donation of his brain for research purposes. His passing has drawn attention to the long-term health effects associated with professional football.
In other team news, Dallas Cowboys writers have highlighted the receiving combination of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Writers Tommy Yarrish, Patrik Walker, and Mickey Spagnola ranked the pair among the league’s top receiving duos. Yarrish placed them in the top three, behind the Los Angeles Rams’ Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. Walker ranked them second, while Spagnola included them in the top five alongside the Cincinnati Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Walker described the duo as two true number-one receivers supported by an All-Pro quarterback. He cited Pickens’ 1,400-yard season and Second-team All-Pro honor as evidence of his elite status.
The Cowboys’ pass rushers are preparing for the Sack Summit, an annual gathering in Las Vegas hosted by Von Miller, Cam Jordan, and Maxx Crosby. The event runs from July 9 to July 11 and brings together top defensive players for drills and film sessions. Three Cowboys will attend: Quinnen Williams, Rashan Gary, and Donovan Ezeiruaku. Williams joined Dallas from the New York Jets last season. Gary arrived via trade from Green Bay this offseason. Ezeiruaku is in his second year with the team.
