The NFL announced Tuesday that Dallas Cowboys defensive end Charles Snowden will be suspended for the opening three games of the 2026 regular season.
According to NFL Network, the suspension stems from a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy.
The 28-year-old Snowden was arrested back in December 2024 while playing for the Las Vegas Raiders. He faced a misdemeanor driving under the influence charge as a first-time offender. Las Vegas police reported that his blood-alcohol level was more than double the legal limit when officers discovered him asleep inside his SUV.
Snowden initially entered a not guilty plea, but changed course in January, entering a no-contest plea instead. A judge ordered him to pay a $1,000 fine and complete both coroner’s and DUI courses. If he fulfills the terms of his plea agreement, the DUI charge will be reduced to reckless driving.
During the 2024 season, Snowden appeared in 15 games for the Raiders, making nine starts at defensive end. He finished with 28 tackles, three sacks, five tackles for loss, two passes defended, and one interception.
Across his NFL career, Snowden has totaled 67 tackles, 4.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, six passes defended, and one interception over 33 games and 18 starts. He previously played two games with the Chicago Bears in 2021 and spent time on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad in 2022 before joining the Raiders for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
The Raiders released Snowden in May, and he inked a one-year deal worth $1.1 million with the Cowboys on June 18.
Snowden is permitted to participate in all preseason activities, including training camp and exhibition games. The suspension will take effect once rosters are trimmed to 53 players.
The Cowboys kick off their 2026 season on September 13 with a road trip to face the New York Giants. They follow that with a home matchup against the Washington Commanders on September 20 and then travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to take on the Baltimore Ravens on September 27 — the three games Snowden will miss.
