The Dallas Cowboys signed 28-year-old defensive end Charles Snowden last month on the final day of mandatory minicamp. But according to the league transaction wire on Tuesday, July 14, the NFL has suspended Snowden for the first three games of the 2026 NFL season.
"Dallas' Charles Snowden, DE, Virginia, has been suspended by the Commissioner for the first three games of the 2026 season. He is eligible to participate in all preseason activities, including games; his suspension will take effect as of the roster reduction to 53 players."
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, this suspension stems from Snowden being arrested for a DUI in Las Vegas, Nevada, back on December 9, 2024, when he was a member of the Las Vegas Raiders. As the NFL noted, Snowden will be a participant in the Cowboys' preseason activities.
Dallas Cowboys DE Charles Snowden suspended for first 3 games of 2026 NFL season
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the judge accepted a no-contest plea in January of 2026. Below are the details from the plea.
"Defense attorney Richard Schonfeld said in court that Snowden, who did not appear before the judge, was pleading no contest to a misdemeanor DUI first offense charge and that adjudication against him would be stayed.
"He will be required to stay out of trouble, pay a $1,000 fine and complete a victim impact panel and a coroner’s program, Schonfeld said.
"If successful, the charge will be reduced to reckless driving, the lawyer said. If Snowden is not successful, he will be convicted of the DUI and face a six-month suspended sentence.
"Prosecutor Eric Bauman confirmed the terms of the plea deal.
"Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Joe Bonaventure agreed to accept the no contest plea and stay the adjudication. He ordered a suspended jail sentence of up to 180 days, plus a $1,000 fine, DUI school, the victim impact panel and the coroner’s DUI program.
"Schonfeld said he already had proof of the DUI school and victim impact panel."
The NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell, of course, have their own justice system, and they have determined that Snowden should miss the first three games of the 2026 season. This punishment was handed down after a year and a half of information gathering and evaluation.
Snowden was originally signed by the Chicago Bears in 2021 as a UDFA and played in two games as a rookie before being waived and landing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the following offseason. After a year there, he landed with the Raiders, where he had his most NFL success to date.
In two seasons in Las Vegas, Snowden played in 31 games, making 18 starts. He recorded 4.5 sacks, 67 tackles, including eight for a loss, an interception, six passes defended and 11 quarterback hits. Snowden played 730 defensive snaps and 231 special teams snaps in that span.
Should he make the 53-man roster in Dallas, Snowden would miss games against the New York Giants in Week 1, Washington Commanders in Week 2 and Baltimore Ravens in Week 3. He would be eligible for reinstatement ahead of Week 4's game against the Houston Texans.
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