An argument between Damarious Randall and a Packers coach led to the cornerback heading to the locker room during the second half of Green Bay’s win over Chicago on Thursday night, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). Mike McCarthy (per ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky) called it a “coach’s decision” to send Randall to the locker room during the Packers’ 35-14 win. McCarthy benched Randall to start the second half.
The dispute came with a Packers assistant and was about coverage responsibilities, Rapoport reports (video link).
Rapoport adds Randall left Lambeau Field after the dispute, but conflicting accounts exist regarding when the third-year defender left the stadium. Rapoport notes (via Twitter) Randall left after the game, but this incident was enough for he and McCarthy to discuss it in a private setting. McCarthy and Randall met Friday in his office to address the matter, per Rapoport (on Twitter). Internal discipline will be expected after the dispute, Demovsky notes.
While a suspension could be possible, the Packers do not appear to be looking to cut ties with their 2015 first-rounder. McCarthy said (via Demovsky) Randall will be with the team when it reconvenes for practice Tuesday.
Randall has started in each of the Packers’ four games this season but hasn’t been particularly effective. Pro Football Focus grades him as the No. 99 corner thus far. Randall started nine games in each of the past two seasons, but the Packers are now deeper at corner than they were last season. So options exist beyond Randall. This led to the team’s decision to waive Ladarius Gunter.