Ex-Cowboys OL Brandon Knight to focus on mental health away from NFL

Ex-Cowboys offensive lineman Brandon Knight seems to be taking the mental health crusade of his former quarterback to heart.

Knight was waived by the Cowboys just prior to the team’s visit to New England in Week 6, with the club reportedly hoping to add him back to the practice squad. Instead, he was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Ravens on Monday. Knight, however, did not report to the team. Midweek, Ravens coach John Harbaugh called it “a personal decision” by the Indiana University product.

Knight, 24, has now announced that he is temporarily stepping away from football.

“First and foremost, I want to thank the Baltimore Ravens for allowing me another opportunity to play the game I’ve always loved,” Knight said in a statement via Twitter. “As of now, I’ve decided to take a break from football to address my mental health. Although it was a difficult decision, it was a necessary one to be back home with my family. I look forward to returning next season.”

Knight went undrafted in 2019, joining the Cowboys as a free agent. He appeared in seven games as a rookie, starting one. In the team’s injury-riddled 2020 campaign, Knight played in 13 games, with five starts. This season, he had seen just a few snaps in Week 3’s in over Philadelphia.

During his tenure in Dallas, Knight shared a locker room with Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. A vocal proponent of mental health issues and awareness, Prescott just last week wore the message “Ask 4 Help!” written on his wrist tape during the 35-29 overtime against the Patriots.

Prescott has detailed his own struggles with mental health following his brother’s death by suicide and then his season-ending injury in 2020. The passer has even started an apparel line with the “Ask 4 Help” messaging to benefit his Faith Fight Finish Foundation and support its effort of championing mental health and addressing the suicide epidemic.

The Ravens will retain the rights to Knight when he is ready to return to the game. In the meantime, he will not count toward their 53-man roster nor their salary cap.

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