Charles Snowden suspended three games to start 2026

Charles Snowden suspended for Cowboys' first three games

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Charles Snowden has been suspended for the first three regular-season games of 2026, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. The NFL confirmed Snowden can participate in all preseason activities and games. The suspension takes effect when rosters are cut to 53 players.

What led to the suspension

The discipline stems from a December 9, 2024 DUI arrest in Las Vegas while Snowden was still on the Raiders roster. He was found asleep and unresponsive in a running SUV that had nearly rolled off a retaining wall, with a blood-alcohol level reportedly more than double the legal limit. He later pleaded no contest, the charge was reduced to reckless driving, and he received a suspended sentence. The NFL acted under its personal conduct policy.

Snowden signed with Dallas on June 18, 2026 after the Raiders waived him in May.

How crowded is the Cowboys edge rusher room?

Even without the suspension, Snowden was a longshot to make the 53-man roster. Dallas has a deep edge rusher group that includes Rashan Gary (acquired via trade from Green Bay), first-round rookie Malachi Lawrence, second-year player Donovan Ezeiruaku, Sam Williams, James Houston, and Marist Liufau.

Snowden had a solid 2025 season with the Raiders, posting 3.0 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, and a 70.5 PFF grade across 15 games. That production profiles him as a depth piece or practice squad candidate in Dallas, not a starter.

Fantasy football impact

None. Snowden carries no IDP value. He was not going to be a starter or rotational contributor worth rostering before this suspension.

For IDP, the Cowboys edge rushers worth watching are Gary, Ezeiruaku, and Lawrence. The group figures to operate as a committee after Dallas traded Micah Parsons, so do not expect a single pass rusher to emerge as an elite IDP option. Snowden is not part of that conversation regardless of the suspension.