Sports

Warning: This story contains information some readers may find distressing

Quarterback Dak Prescott says the Dallas Cowboys' players are "hurting" following the death of team-mate Marshawn Kneeland.

Defensive lineman Kneeland, drafted by the Cowboys in the second round in 2024, died aged 24 on Thursday.

Frisco Police Department in Texas said Kneeland appeared to have taken his own life after a vehicle pursuit and multi-agency search on Wednesday night.

Kneeland, in his second season with the Cowboys, scored his first NFL touchdown by recovering a blocked punt on Monday in a loss to Arizona.

Prescott and his team-mates had a team video call in the wake of Kneeland's death which the 32-year-old said had been "very tough" following a "tragic loss".

"I hurt for Marshawn, I hurt for his family, I hurt for his girlfriend, I hurt for every single one of my team-mates," Prescott told CBS Texas.

Prescott's own brother Jace died by suicide in 2020 and he has worked with mental health initiatives in the past few years.

He acknowledged Kneeland's death had been "triggering" and it was "hard to balance" his emotions.

"This is a pain that you don't wish upon anybody," he said.

"You wish none of us had to go through this. You wish Marshawn didn't have to go through what he went through.

"Tough moment for this team. I feel and hurt for everybody that's involved in this and Marshawn's family and loved ones."

The Cowboys have a bye this week on the NFL schedule before they return to competition on 17 November at Las Vegas.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story you can visit the BBC Action Line.

• NFL fixtures and results
• Get American Football news sent straight to your phone

The Las Vegas Raiders are shaking up the coaching staff mid-season: The team announced Friday that they have fired special teams coordinator Tom McMahon, one day after an ugly loss to the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football.

"Earlier today, we made the tough decision to relieve Tom McMahon of his duties as special teams coordinator. I have a great amount of respect for Tom and the work that he has done in this league, but we have decided to move in a different direction," Raiders head coach Pete Carroll wrote in a statement released by the team. "We are grateful for Tom and his work here with the Raiders and wish him nothing but the best moving forward."

In the statement, Carroll confirmed that Derius Swinton II, the team's assistant special teams coach, will take over as interim special teams coordinator.

"We are excited to attack the second half of this season with outstanding intent and purpose," Carroll wrote.

It's unclear why McMahon specifically was let go, though NFL Network reports that McMahon and Carroll were seen having an exchange on the sideline during the loss.

The three-point loss was one of the worst losses yet for the Raiders, who fall to 2-7. Denver's defense completely smothered Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith, with Smith taking six sacks throughout the game (five in the first half alone). The Raiders' offense was so futile that the team at one point went seven consecutive possessions without a first down — the most this season, per the broadcast.

All things considered, special teams wasn't the biggest problem for Las Vegas on Thursday, but the special teams play wasn't particularly impressive. Punter AJ Cole had a stellar night, getting plenty of practice, but also downing two punts within the two-yard line. But the returns didn't lead anywhere: Receiver Alex Bachman had three punt returns for the Raiders, but gained less than a yard in total. And Daniel Carlson missed the Raiders' only field goal attempt — a 48-yard, potentially game-tying attempt late in the fourth quarter — in a game battered by high winds.

After the Thursday night matchup, Carroll will have a little bit of extra time to regroup, with the Raiders' next game coming on Monday against the Dallas Cowboys.