The suspension stems from a violation of the league's personal conduct policy tied to a DUI, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported.
"Dallas' Charles Snowden, DE, Virginia, has been suspended by the Commissioner for the first three games of the 2026 season," the league said in a statement. "He is eligible to participate in all preseason activities, including games; his suspension will take effect as of the roster reduction to 53 players."
The Background
The suspension traces to a 2024 DUI arrest from Snowden's time with the Las Vegas Raiders.
In January, Snowden pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor DUI charge, was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, and was required to attend coroner's and DUI courses.
#Cowboys DE Charles Snowden has been suspended for the first three games of the season because of a DUI. The news of his personal conduct violation was on today’s wire. pic.twitter.com/CafBczLg7a
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 14, 2026
His charge will be reduced to reckless driving if he completes the terms of the plea agreement.
Snowden is eligible to fully participate in training camp in Oxnard and all three of Dallas' preseason games, with the ban only kicking in once the roster is cut to 53.
What It Means For Dallas
The Cowboys signed Snowden to a one-year deal in June after he tried out for the team.
He was likely looking at a reserve role early in the year, but his absence thins the pass-rush depth for the first three weeks against the Giants, Commanders, and Ravens, with his return coming in Week 4 on the road against the Texans.
Snowden, who went undrafted out of Virginia in 2021, started his career with the Chicago Bears before stints with the Buccaneers and Raiders.
He carved out a real role in Las Vegas, appearing in 31 games with 18 starts over the last two seasons and posting a career-best three sacks in 2025 before the Raiders let him go in May.
His absence opens the door for younger Dallas defenders, including 2026 first-round pick Malachi Lawrence, to earn early snaps for a team that had one of the NFL's worst defenses last season.
