Dallas Cowboys player arrested on charge of reckless driving
If you were hoping for a normal Dallas Cowboys offseason, you’re off to a bad start.
Cowboys rookie defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku was arrested and booked on a charge of reckless driving on Sunday night in Collin County, according to court records. He posted $500 bond and was released the same day.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a trooper saw a car being driven recklessly shortly before midnight in the southbound lanes of the Dallas North Tollway in Plano, and arrested Ezeiruaku after a traffic stop.
A DPS spokesperson did not answer a reporter’s question about fast Ezeiruaku was driving, saying that the investigation is ongoing and no further information will be released at this time. The charge he faces is a Class B misdemeanor.
The Cowboys are aware of the situation, a team official told the Star-Telegram.
Ezeiruaku, 22, was a second-round draft pick out of Boston College in 2025 and appeared in all 17 games as a rookie, including nine starts. He combined for 40 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, and two sacks.
Heading into 2026, he is one of just two defensive ends on the Cowboys’ roster not hitting free agency this offseason, along with James Houston.
Ezeiruaku has been viewed as an on-field and locker room leader early in his time in Dallas.
“I think just the passion for the way he plays the game is real,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer said in December. “The way he plays the run is unique for a rookie that came out of [Boston College] as a known pass rusher, but the physicality that he plays with in the run game is very unique in my opinion. That’s why I think he’s going to be a star in this league.”
Since the arrest did not involve weapons, drugs, alcohol or anything violent, this won’t be viewed as a serious mistake toward his NFL future or any possible suspension. In a social media post, his agent, Andre Odom of Athletes First, also co-signed Ezeiruaku’s character.
“He’s a great kid,” Odom said. “Will learn from this.”
The Cowboys are out of the team facility until April when they are due to return for voluntary workouts.
Staff writer Shambhavi Rimal contributed to this report.
This story was originally published January 12, 2026 at 7:44 PM.
