Thursday was an emotional day for the Dallas Cowboys. It was their first time back at practice since last week’s tragedy.
One week ago, the Cowboys learned that second-year defensive end Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away due to suicide. Following the loss, players and coaches have spoken up about the importance of mental health.
That continued on Thursday with defensive tackle Solomon Thomas delivering a powerful message that everyone should hear. He stated that it’s important to be kind to everyone, since we don’t know what battles they’re facing.
“Someone could be smiling, someone could be dancing, laughing, having a great time, expressing all this joy, but on the inside, they could really be fighting a battle that you never know about. You don’t know what the chemicals are telling them in their brain. You don’t know the trauma from their childhood. You don’t know everything they’ve been going through. And that’s why it’s so important to be kind,” Thomas said.
“It’s so important to ask people how they’re doing. It’s so important to tell people the resources around them, that therapy is OK as a man. Therapy is OK as a woman. These are things that we need to go through because you never know what battle someone’s going through. It’s hard. It’s tragic. It’s such a young life that should be here. This is why mental health is so important.”
Thomas is sadly no stranger to such tragedies. His sister, Ella, committed suicide in 2018 at the age of 24. Thomas and his family started a non-profit in her honor, and he’s been a strong advocate for mental health awareness ever since.
Editors’ note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You are not alone.
The Chicago Bears’ final injury report before their Week 2 matchup against the Detroit Lions is out and there are some good news and bad news for the fans.
Starting with the good news, linebacker T.J. Edwards and cornerback Jaylon Johnson have no injury designation, which means they will be good to go to play. Edwards and Johnson missed the Bears’ Week 1 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Now comes the bad news: Starting cornerback Kyler Gordon is going to miss a second straight game with his hamstring injury, as he has not practiced all week. Training camp darling Jahdae Walker is listed as doubtful with an ankle injury. Another starter on defense, defensive lineman Grady Jarrett, is listed as questionable with his knee injury, but did practice for the first time this week on Friday, as he was limited.
Johnson and Edwards are welcome sights on the injury report to see them returning to the team. Their presence was missing after the team allowed 27 points in the Vikings’ loss.
Not having Gordon for a second straight game will mean that Nick McCloud could be back to start at nickel. After Nahshon Wright’s performance in Johnson’s absence, there’s a possibility he might find the field more often in the secondary.
Jarrett’s status will be interesting to see if he will be back for the game on Sunday. If he is out, it could be the first time the team activates rookie second-round pick Shemar Turner for game day.
Other key notes include running back Roschon Johnson appearing to be good to go to play for the first time this season. Johnson could either be splitting RB2 reps with rookie Kyle Monangai or be the third back as he eases back into the lineup.
If Jarrett can play on Sunday, the damage won’t be as severe, but losing Gordon again stings for the secondary, which has been plagued by injuries for the last month and a half.