Who is Charles Snowden? Cowboys star suspended for first three games of 2026 NFL season following DUI case(Getty Images)Dallas Cowboys defensive end Charles Snowden will begin the 2026 NFL season with a three-game suspension after the NFL disciplined him following the resolution of his 2024 DUI case. The league announced the suspension through its official transactions wire on Tuesday, and an NFL spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that the punishment stemmed from Snowden's DUI arrest while he was with the Las Vegas Raiders.Snowden is still eligible to participate in the Cowboys' training camp and all three preseason games. His suspension will take effect after the NFL's final 53-man roster deadline, forcing him to miss Dallas' regular-season opener against the New York Giants, followed by games against the Washington Commanders and Baltimore Ravens. As of now, the Dallas Cowboys have not publicly commented on the NFL's decision. Who is Charles Snowden?Charles Snowden is a 28-year-old defensive end who currently plays for the Dallas Cowboys. A native of Silver Spring, Maryland, he starred at the University of Virginia, where he developed into one of the ACC's top pass rushers. His father is Chuck Snowden. Chuck Snowden, along with his wife Terri, raised Charles in Silver Spring, Maryland, and supported his athletic journey from Blake High School through his college career at the University of Virginia.In his senior season in 2020, Snowden led the Cavaliers with six sacks and 10 tackles for loss before earning second-team All-ACC honors despite suffering a season-ending ankle injury.After going undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft, Snowden signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent. He later spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before joining the Las Vegas Raiders, where he earned the most significant playing time of his NFL career.The 2025 season proved to be Snowden's breakthrough campaign. He appeared in 15 games, making nine starts, and recorded career highs with three sacks, 28 total tackles and five tackles for loss. He also intercepted the first pass of his NFL career. Across 33 career games, Snowden has totaled 4.5 sacks, 28 tackles and one interception.Although he re-signed with the Raiders in April 2026, Las Vegas released him less than a month later. The Cowboys signed Snowden on June 18 after he impressed the coaching staff during a minicamp tryout, adding experienced depth to their pass-rushing unit.Why was Charles Snowden suspended?Charles Snowden's suspension stems from a DUI arrest in Las Vegas on December 9, 2024. In January 2026, he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor DUI charge as part of a plea agreement. Under the agreement, he was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and complete DUI and coroner's education courses. If he fulfills those requirements, the misdemeanor DUI charge will be reduced to reckless driving.Although the NFL's transactions wire did not specify the reason for the suspension, an NFL spokesperson confirmed it was related to Snowden's resolved DUI case. Under the league's Personal Conduct Policy, discipline is often imposed after legal proceedings have concluded.The suspension delays Charles Snowden's Cowboys debut in meaningful games. Still, he will be available throughout training camp and the preseason before becoming eligible to return after serving the three-game ban at the start of the regular season.