Cowboys’ thrilling win proved costly for the rookies

The Dallas Cowboys flew out of Pittsburgh on Monday morning with a thrilling 20-17 win. They returned to Dallas with their two top rookies on the injury report too.

Second round pick Marshawn Kneeland was knocked out of the game four plays into the Steelers’ first possession.

The Cowboys’ top pick, Tyler Guyton, made it 23 plays, one-third of the way into the game, before departing with a knee injury as well.

Guyton’s injury, so far, appears to be less serious.

Kneeland could miss up to six weeks before returning to action.

Here’s how the night went for the 2024 rookie class:

Tyler Guyton

The first-round pick out of Oklahoma, Guyton, went down with an apparent knee injury six minutes into the second quarter.

Guyton limped off the field and into the Cowboys’ locker room for an x-ray. He returned to the sidelines and appeared to be trying to get back in.

But he remained sidelined and left the stadium with his knee wrapped.

Ironically, when the Cowboys moved Tyler Smith to replace Guyton at left tackle and T.J. Bass to take Smith’s spot at left guard, the running game ignited.

Guyton is listed as day-to-day for now. But the noticeable improvement in the running attack should be a wake-up call for Guyton.

Marshawn Kneeland

The Cowboys’ second-round pick, Kneeland, got his first career start on Sunday. Ironically, his start was due to both Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence being sidelined by their own injuries.

Unfortunately for Kneeland, he was knocked out of the game just four defensive plays into the contest.

Kneeland recorded two quick tackles before partially tearing his lateral meniscus.

The good news is that he did not tear his ACL. That injury would have ended his season.

As it is, Kneeland will have the meniscus trimmed and will likely be out roughly six weeks.

Cooper Beebe

The third-round pick from Kansas State, Cooper Beebe, took all 76 offensive snaps in Sunday’s win. He also managed to avoid the injury bug that plagued his teammates.

Beebe continues to be a rock-solid anchor at center for the Cowboys.

Marist Liufau

The third-round pick from Notre Dame, Marist Liufau, did not get the start but still managed one tackle and one pass defended.

Liufau saw 24 defensive snaps and 14 special teams snaps. He also had a textbook punch out to dislodge the football from a Steelers receiver.

Caelen Carson

The fifth-round pick from Wake Forest, Caelen Carson, was inactive for Sunday’s game.

Carson continues to recover from a shoulder injury suffered two weeks ago against the Ravens. It remains unclear if he will be back on the active roster for next week’s showdown at home against the Lions.

Ryan Flournoy

The sixth-round pick from SE Missouri State, Ryan Flournoy, finally saw some time in action, thanks to Brandin Cooks’ knee injury.

Unfortunately, thanks to the play of Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, and KaVontae Turpin, he didn’t even get a target.

Flournoy did see 10 offensive snaps and another 15 on special teams in his first NFL game to build on for the future.

Nathan Thomas

Offensive Tackle Nathan Thomas, the seventh round pick out of Louisiana, is on injured reserve.

But at least he is still in the organization. His fellow seventh round pick, Justin Rogers, was cut before the season began and is now on the Bengals’ practice squad.

The Undrafted

Tight End Brevyn Spann-Ford, out of Minnesota, had his best game of his very young professional career on Sunday.

Spann-Ford was targeted three times, hauling in two of the passes for 20 yards. He was on the field for 15 offensive snaps and another four on special teams.

The other three undrafted rookies are currently on the practice squad.

Safety Emany Johnson, Defensive Tackle Denzel Daxon, and linebacker Brock Mogensen will likely remain there until an injury necessitates a call up.