The NFL has handed Dallas Cowboys defensive end Charles Snowden a three-game suspension for the start of the 2026 season, according to the league transaction wire on Tuesday, July 14.
Snowden, who the Cowboys signed last month on the final day of mandatory minicamp, is still allowed to take part in preseason work and games. His suspension will begin once Dallas cuts down to 53 players.
"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."
Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the suspension is tied to Snowden’s arrest for DUI in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 9, 2024, when he was with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The case reached a resolution in January of 2026, when a judge accepted a no-contest plea, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. In court, defense attorney Richard Schonfeld said Snowden, who was not present, was entering a no contest plea to a misdemeanor DUI first offense charge and that adjudication 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 league’s review took more than a year and a half before the punishment was announced.
Snowden’s NFL path has taken him from the Chicago Bears, who signed him as a UDFA in 2021, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then to Las Vegas, where he had his most productive stretch. He appeared in 31 games over two seasons with the Raiders and made 18 starts, finishing with 4.5 sacks, 67 tackles, eight tackles for loss, an interception, six passes defended and 11 quarterback hits. He also logged 730 defensive snaps and 231 special teams snaps.
If Snowden makes Dallas’ 53-man roster, the suspension would keep him out of Week 1 against the New York Giants, Week 2 against the Washington Commanders and Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens. He would be eligible to return before Week 4 against the Houston Texans.
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