Joseph Randle and Dallas Cowboys’ messy situation
By John Buhler
Joseph Randle is having a rough week in Dallas after getting hurt on Sunday, getting demoted to second-string tailback, and might have to deal with an NFL suspension stemming from his February arrest.
Joseph Randle might actually be having the worst week of any active player in the NFL. After straining his oblique in the Dallas Cowboys’ loss to the New York Giants, he was promptly demoted to second-string running back after Darren McFadden’s 152 yard performance in place on the injured Randle.
Not only has the double Cowboy Randle (Oklahoma State and Dallas) been leapt over on the depth chart by an often-injured pro and former Arkansas Razorback superstar in McFadden, it seems that Randle will likely face punishment stemming from his February arrest. Joseph Randle was arrested for marijuana possession after a call about a domestic dispute involving a gun and the mother of his son.
Joseph Randle faces a 1- or 2-game suspension for the incident. He didn’t violate domestic violence policy. It’s firearm & conduct related
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 29, 2015
Randle left the Dallas Cowboys’ facility without telling anybody Wednesday afternoon and missed his scheduled treatment with the Cowboys’ medical staff to help with his injured oblique.
Head Coach Jason Garrett said that Randle had an excused absence because of “personal matters” Wednesday, but Randle did not speak with Garrett on Thursday. The Cowboys have now ruled out Randle from Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks with the strained oblique.
Saying there is trouble in Big D is an understatement. The Cowboys have lost four straight since quarterback Tony Romo broke his collar bone. Backup quarterback Brandon Weeden was ineffective in three weeks as a starter. New starter Matt Cassel threw three interceptions in Week 7’s loss to the Giants.
Defensive end Greg Hardy and injured wide receiver Dez Bryant are getting into shouting matches on the Dallas sidelines. Now there is a running back controversy between the brittle Darren McFadden and the troubled Joseph Randle. This was a team many thought could win the NFC. Now Dallas could potentially be eliminated from playoff contention before Tony Romo’s supposed return Thanksgiving Day.