'Devastated' Jerry Jones breaks silence on death of Cowboys' Marshawn Kneeland
The Dallas Cowboys are set to return to the field in Week 11 of the NFL season, after a chaotic and emotional week during the team's bye. Dallas revamped its roster on the defensive side of the ball, while learning of the death of second-year defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, his death was ruled a suspected suicide by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Over the weekend, the NFL world honored Kneeland with moments of silence before kickoff, and on Tuesday, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones broke his silence on the topic and shared his thoughts on the tragedy.
Jones made his comments during his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan.
"Devastated. Hard to believe. It was in the middle of the night when we all got the news. ... As a teammate, (Kneeland) touched everybody in many different ways," Jones said, via Jon Machota of The Athletic.
"It's just a time when you acknowledge there are no answers. It makes you want to live life to the fullest. His death is such a national awareness thing. ... There's no doubt in my mind that (the team will move forward) in memory of what he was all about. He was very unique in his passion for the game."
Editors’ note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
Making of a star
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Kneeland joined the Cowboys as a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft after starring at Western Michigan. Throughout his two years with the team, Kneeland has played in 18 games with four starts. He recorded 26 tackles, five tackles for a loss, four quarterback hits, and one sack throughout his career.
In his final game, a Week 9 Monday Night Football clash against the Arizona Cardinals, Kneeland recovered a blocked punt in the endzone for a touchdown. It was the first touchdown of his career.
Our deepest condolences go out to Kneeland's family and friends during this incredibly difficult and tragic time.
Aliaksei Protas apologizes to Capitals fans after string of poor performances on offense
The Washington Capitals have been good at generating chances, but have had a tough time scoring goals early this season.
Through 11 games to start the year, the Capitals have lit the lamp 28 times and are averaging 2.55 goals per game — the fifth-worst rate in the NHL. While their total goals have lagged, the Capitals are generating, per Money Puck, the fifth-most expected goals (41.36) at all strengths. This means the Capitals are failing to convert on their chances, leaving approximately 13 goals off the table. Their only saving grace has been their goaltending.
The Capitals’ latest defeat, due to their inept offense, came on Friday in a 3-1 home loss to the New York Islanders, who had played the night before. The Caps dominated in the first period, outshooting a tired Isles team 13 to 6, but couldn’t score. The Islanders eventually found their sea legs in the final 40 minutes and beat Logan Thompson twice, just enough to seal the victory.
“We know it’s not a fun time to watch us right now,” Protas said postgame. “Grateful to those fans who stayed with us until the end and watch us and support us. We really appreciate that. We take full responsibility, and we’ll be better for sure.”
He added, “Obviously, the whole course of this losses is frustrating for sure. We’re having a tough time finding offense right now. And, we’ll find it. You know, we’re staying together. We believe we’re a good team.”
One of the Capitals’ biggest struggles has been its power play, where the team is converting on only 16.7 percent of its chances — the ninth-worst conversion rate in the NHL. The Caps went 0 for 4 against the Islanders, managing only three shots total — two from Alex Ovechkin and one from Anthony Beauvillier.
“I feel like we were overthinking sometimes, like we just got to start to make it simple,” Protas explained. “I think we just got to be like all together at the same page. Start to make simple plays and go from there. But it’s like nothing will work without the work ethic, you know? Like working off the puck to support each other, sacrifice for each other. Sometimes take a hit to make the play. I don’t think we’re doing a good job of that.”
Capitals alternate captain Tom Wilson, who has scored three of the team’s six power-play goals this season, was more blunt.
“It’s not good enough, obviously,” Wilson said. “It’s on the players on the ice at the end of the day to go out and make it happen. I don’t want to talk too much about it. It’s just not good enough. We’ve got to fix it quickly. It’s costing us games.”
The Capitals have been without Dylan Strome for two games and without Pierre-Luc Dubois five times to start the season, with PLD suffering another injury last night against the Islanders.
“Everyone’s going to have to step up,” Wilson said. “We’ve got some big names out. It’s not an excuse. Just everyone just needs to give a little bit more. Each guy is going to have to collectively try and fill those voids. It’s not new to anyone. That’s hockey. It’s part of the gig. We just got to pull together and play well as a group, make plays, get our confidence back, and win some hockey games starting [Saturday] night (against the Buffalo Sabres).”
He added, “We need better, 10 percent better from every guy, myself included, and we’ll be all right.”
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