Do Cowboys have a Donovan Ezeiruaku problem? 2nd-year pro racking up on warnings

The Dallas Cowboys may have a Donovan Ezeiruaku problem brewing.

On Tuesday, the second-year edge rusher and 2025 second-round pick was ejected from his second practice in the last two weeks, the first against right tackle Terence Steele and the latest during Dallas’ joint practice with the New Orleans Saints.

Technically these are his third fighting ejections in just one official game, given his Week 18 ousting against the New York Giants last season, when he was ejected for fighting. In between he’s been arrested during the offseason on a misdemeanor reckless driving charge where he was released after posting bond.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said he would sit down with his promising young edge rusher to help him understand how his actions not only affect him but also the entire team. While that’s a good place to start, there seems to be a pattern developing with Ezeiruaku.

The issue isn’t his talent or competitiveness. Those traits are a big part of what made him an intriguing prospect. The concern is whether he’s struggling to keep his emotions and decision-making in check when situations become heated.

The offseason reckless driving arrest raised questions about judgment away from the field. His ejection against the Giants and now two practice ejections for throwing punches raise similar concerns in between the sidelines. Viewed individually, each incident can be explained away. Taken together, they paint a picture of a young player whose biggest obstacle may not be his ability, but his self-discipline.

That’s why Schottenheimer’s conversation with Ezeiruaku matters.

The Cowboys don’t need him to play with less aggression. They need him to channel it productively. At his best, Ezeiruaku’s edge and intensity can help make him a disruptive pass rusher. Left unchecked, those same traits could become a recurring problem for both him and the team. He’s worked hard to come back from his offseason hip surgery; he can’t let self-control issues derail him.

It’s too early to label Ezeiruaku a team disruptor. He’s a young player with plenty of time to mature and learn from his mistakes. But after another ejection and another unnecessary distraction, the Cowboys are justified in asking a question they probably hoped they wouldn’t have to this soon: Do they have a solution, or a problem?

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Do Cowboys have a Donovan Ezeiruaku problem? 2nd-year pro racking up on warnings