Dallas Cowboys rookie edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland avoided a major injury after hurting his right knee in Sunday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Kneeland did not suffer a torn ACL, which would have ended his season. Instead, he sustained a partially torn lateral meniscus, which will be surgically trimmed on Tuesday. Rapoport mentioned there’s a possibility Kneeland will be placed on injured reserve (IR), but he is expected to return later this season.

Rapoport clarified that Kneeland’s meniscus injury is not severe enough to require a full repair, which would have sidelined him for the rest of the year. Instead, the recovery for a meniscus trim usually takes a few weeks, so while he may go on IR, Kneeland’s season isn’t over.

Kneeland’s injury occurred early in the game, on the fourth defensive play during Dallas’ 20-17 win over Pittsburgh. The injury appeared to be noncontact, and Kneeland had to be helped to the blue medical tent before being carted off to the locker room, where he was later ruled out for the remainder of the game.

The Cowboys had high expectations for Kneeland after drafting him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft from Western Michigan. Up to this point in the season, Kneeland had recorded six tackles, six quarterback pressures, and one tackle for loss. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, the Cowboys were impressed with the 23-year-old rookie’s performance and were counting on him, particularly after a series of injuries had weakened their defensive line.

Dallas is currently dealing with multiple injuries on their defensive front. Star pass rusher Micah Parsons missed the game against the Steelers, marking the first game he’s sat out in his career. Parsons is recovering from a high ankle sprain suffered in last week’s game against the New York Giants, and Archer indicated that Parsons might miss two to four weeks.

Additionally, veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence suffered a Lisfranc injury in his right foot in the Giants game, which resulted in him being placed on injured reserve. This sidelined Lawrence for at least four games. Another defensive end, Sam Williams, tore his ACL early in training camp and is out for the season.

To make up for these absences, the Cowboys turned to second-year player Tyrus Wheat to replace Kneeland in the Steelers game. Chauncey Golston started the game alongside Kneeland, and veteran Carl Lawson was promoted from the practice squad to provide depth.

Dallas will have to rely on this rotation of Golston, Wheat, and Lawson as the team looks ahead to its Week 6 matchup against the Detroit Lions.