NFL Punishment Looms for Cowboys LB After Jaxson Dart Incident

Dallas Cowboys LB Donovan Ezeiruaku is awaiting a punishment decision from the NFL after his foul on Jaxson Dart.

by Paolo Songco

Sep 14, 2026

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6).

Stephen R&period; Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants kicked off the 2026 NFL season with a big win. They hosted the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, and it resulted in a 28-20 victory for the home team.

Dart had a strong start to his sophomore campaign, completing 23-of-29 passes for 230 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also rushed 11 times for an additional 54 yards on the ground.

Cam Skattebo also had a big game. The second-year running back logged 18 carries for a game-high 81 rushing yards and one touchdown. Isaiah Likely scored two receiving TDs for the Giants, finishing with eight catches for 78 yards.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) speaks with New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) after the game.

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Dart, however, was involved in a contentious incident in the fourth quarter. The Giants QB kept the ball on a run to the right. Cowboys linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku grabbed Dart’s facemask to bring him down.

Ezeiruaku was flagged for a personal foul on the play. The facemask violation resulted in an automatic 15-yard penalty against the Cowboys. That moved New York to Dallas’ 31-yard line, helping them run out the clock.

Ezeiruaku is now awaiting the NFL’s decision on a potential fine. According to Rule 12, Section 2, Article 15 of the NFL rulebook, players are strictly prohibited from ” twisting, turning, pushing, pulling, or controlling the mask or helmet opening.” The penalty is an automatic first down and a loss of 15 yards.

The NFL’s fines and appeals schedule also indicates that face mask penalties carry a $11,941 fine for a first offense and $17,911 for a second. The league will review Ezeiruaku’s foul on Dart and decide whether to fine the Cowboys LB.

Dart and the Giants will look to make it 2-0 in their next game. They will face the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Week 2.

The Cowboys, on the other hand, will aim for their first win of the season when they battle the Washington Commanders on Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.