The Cowboys will release running back Joseph Randle, according to Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram (on Twitter). The move marks an end to a bizarre situation that has unfolded between the talented tailback and the team.
Shortly after word broke last month that Randle left the team facility and missed a treatment session on his injured oblique, we learned that the back is facing discipline from the NFL for an offseason incident. At that time, the Cowboys excused Randle to deal with what they termed as a “personal issue.”
Randle was arrested in February in Wichita, Kansas for unlawful possession of marijuana after police received a call for an alleged domestic incident involving Randle and the mother of his son. Charges against the 23-year-old were dropped in April, but the NFL continued its own investigation, meeting with Randle over the summer, and within the past week.
It’s not known yet if Randle will receive a suspension or merely a fine for the incident, but it appears he’ll be disciplined by the league in some form. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com – who notes that the NFL is applying the personal conduct policy, rather than the domestic conduct policy, in its investigation – tweeted recently that Randle will likely face a one- or two-game suspension.
Randle, 24 in December, was expected by many to emerge as the leader in the Cowboys’ fractured backfield this season. After chiding ex-teammate DeMarco Murray for leaving a lot of “meat on the bone,” Randle has taken only a couple bites so far this season. In six games, Randle has rushed for 313 yards off of 76 carries.
Really sad case, and aside from all the fantasy football angst that will be generated by this move, you have to hope that everything is OK for Randle life-wise. He’s only 23, he could still have a future in this league.