Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Charles Snowden has been suspended for the first three games of the upcoming NFL season following a DUI arrest in 2024. The league announced the ban on Tuesday, citing a personal conduct violation.
The suspension stems from an incident that occurred while Snowden was with the Las Vegas Raiders. He recently accepted a plea agreement, pleading no contest to a misdemeanor DUI charge. As part of the agreement, he was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and complete coroner's and DUI courses. Successful completion of these orders is expected to reduce the charge to reckless driving.
Snowden will miss the Cowboys' season opener against the New York Giants, their home opener versus the Washington Commanders, and a subsequent home game against the Baltimore Ravens. He is eligible to participate in the team's preseason games, with the suspension set to take effect once NFL rosters are finalized at 53 players.
The 28-year-old joined the Cowboys this offseason as a free agent after a tryout. He was originally signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia in 2021 but appeared in only two games for the team. After not playing in 2022 and 2023, he spent time with the Raiders in 2024 and 2025. In his last season with the Raiders, Snowden recorded three sacks, 28 combined tackles, five tackles for loss, and one interception across 15 appearances. He signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys in June following his release from the Raiders.