Former Cowboys running back Joseph Randle went unclaimed off waivers on Wednesday and is now free to sign with any NFL team. Randle was jettisoned from Dallas on Tuesday.
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 recent days.
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. Any team with interest in Randle will have to not only take his off-the-field issues into consideration, but also the fact that he could be sidelined for a couple of games.
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.
It is tough to find a good fit for Randle at this point in the season. I would think that non-contenders wouldn’t waste bringing him because the reward wouldn’t outweigh the baggage he carries. Houston might not be happy with Alfred Blue now that they are without Arian Foster, and at 3-5 they still have hopes in that division. Denver could be interested as well if Gary Kubiak feels his speed and receiving ability will bring add to the offense, but even that is a long shot. Fear of a suspension only makes it less likely he will sign.
My thoughts exactly on Houston. They are still in the realm of possibility of winning their division. Randle is better then Blue. If you aren’t throwing away the season, Randle must be signed. The pass game will not open up without a threat at RB, and Blue just isn’t that threat.
Unfortunately for Randle, I can’t think of a reason any other team would even consider him considering the baggage he brings, and how unusual it is for a running back to be signed midseason and get assimilated into the offense fast enough to make a significant difference. Might be either Houston or wait until the offseason and try to get into a camp.
Guessing he’s realizing there’s a big difference between leaving meat on the bone and having NO bone to chew on at all.