The Dallas Cowboys closed out their last game of the season on Sunday, January 4, with a road game against the New York Giants, which they dropped 34-17. Even with the season ending on a sour note, the Cowboys ended their 2025-26 season at second place in the NFC East, and that’s a statistic that should make them proud.
But, on Saturday, January 10, the NFL announced that they’re punishing multiple Dallas Cowboys players for their actions during the New York Giants game. One of those players is getting hit with the second largest NFL punishment of the week.
Each week during the season, the league hands out punishments to players for actions taken during the previous week’s games. The NFL says on their official website that these actions are “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity.” The NFL and NFL Players Association agree on the set of game-related rules violations before each season, and they dictate the accountability measures.
Dallas Cowboys Players Punished by the NFL
The NFL has announced their roster of punishments for Week 18, and two Dallas Cowboys players are on the roster: safety Donovan Wilson and defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku.
Wilson’s punishment is especially hefty, with the NFL fining him $23,186 for “unnecessary roughness” and “use of the helmet” at the 11:55 mark in the second quarter of the team’s game against the New York Giants. The league is also punishing Ezeiruaku with a $10,258 fine for ” “unnecessary roughness” and a “facemask” violation at the 9:53 point in the third quarter of the game. While those are hefty fines, neither player was suspended by the league, so they avoided the biggest penalty.
According to the NFL, the funds raised from accountability fines during the season will go to the Professional Athletes Foundation to “support legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.”
Both Cowboys players are allowed to appeal the decision, if they wish. “Players are notified of violations and may appeal any ruling,” the NFL says in their official rules book. “Cases are heard by appeals officers and former NFL players, Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster or Jordy Nelson, who are jointly appointed and paid by the NFL/NFLPA.” After the final hearing, “the decisions made are final and binding.”
Dak Prescott Discusses Dallas Cowboys’ Final Game Against New York Giants
After the first two quarters of the Cowboys’ game against the Giants, Prescott was replaced by backup Joe Milton. It’s not uncommon for franchise quarterbacks to sit out the final game of the season if there’s no stake in the win, to avoid injury concerns, but it was still a bit of a surprise to Prescott.
“I didn’t necessarily know when I was coming out, so for me, it was just: play the game. Play the game to win,” Prescott told reporters during his postgame press conference, “and I gave it my best when I was in there.”
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