Cowboys Rookie Caught Sneaking Off to Bar — Brian Schottenheimer Drops Brutal Suspension

Every NFL preseason brings its share of stories — some about breakout plays, others about rookies chasing the dream. But sometimes, the most unforgettable stories don’t happen under the lights, but in the silence of the players left behind.

As the Cowboys worked through their first two preseason games, every young face waited for a call. Some rookies found their shot, making plays that lit up the film room. Others carved out roles on special teams. But there was one name missing entirely — no snaps, no stats, just a growing shadow of doubt.

When the team regrouped after their second preseason matchup, an empty chair told the story. Calls rang out unanswered. By nightfall, whispers spread: a rookie had slipped away from the team hotel, not to reset or review film, but to escape into Dallas nightlife.

Hours later, he was spotted in a crowded bar, hood pulled low, neon lights bouncing off his Cowboys gear, trying to drown out the silence of being overlooked.

“He didn’t disappear because he thought he was above the star,” one teammate said quietly. “He disappeared because he thought the star was slipping away from him. That’s the kind of fear that eats a rookie alive.”

That rookie was Traeshon Holden, a wide receiver signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL Draft. Known for his hands and physical frame, Holden arrived at camp as a long shot, determined to fight for a roster spot. But after watching two games from the sideline, frustration turned into escape — and escape turned into a mistake.

Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer wasted no time responding. The next morning, he addressed the entire team with fire in his voice: “In Dallas, you don’t earn respect in a bar — you earn it on the field, in the sweat, and in the grind this team demands. If a rookie chooses neon lights over hard work, the punishment will be brutal, because wearing the Star means carrying America’s Team on your back.” Minutes later, Schottenheimer lowered the hammer: a suspension for the rest of the preseason. For an undrafted rookie, it was as good as a closed door.

The locker room split. Some veterans offered Holden a word of encouragement, reminding him that redemption is still possible. Others were harsher, saying that in Dallas, second chances are rare — and the league won’t wait for anyone.

Now, Holden is back at practice. Silent, helmet strapped, grinding through reps with every ounce of urgency. Whether it will be enough to earn back respect remains uncertain.