For a Cowboys season that looked so promising a month ago, the whole world seems to be crashing down around them these days. Not only have they been a mess on the field — losers of four in a row to fall to last place in the NFC East — but they’ve also had to deal with what seems like weekly off-the-field drama, as well.
Most of the recent episodes have centered around defensive lineman Greg Hardy, as Hardy’s coaches and teammates have been left to defend his actions on and off the field, which included owner Jerry Jones’ loose definition of “team leader.” On Wednesday, it was running back Joseph Randle’s turn to make headlines for all the wrong reasons.
After Randle suffered an oblique strain during Sunday’s 27-20 loss to the Giants, Darren McFadden was forced into action, and promptly rushed for 152 yards and a touchdown. When the Cowboys depth chart was released this week, Randle was listed as the back-up, with McFadden due to get the start this Sunday against Seattle. This, apparently, did not sit well with Randle, who bolted from the team’s facilities and could not be found by the coaching staff.
[Randle] walked out of the locker room in shoulder pads while carrying his helmet 20 minutes into the practice session and began to work on the side with an athletic trainer.
Afterward, when Randle was scheduled for treatment, he couldn’t be found. Club officials scrambled to determine where he had gone.
Multiple sources said Randle left Valley Ranch to meet with people he trusted to help him clear his head and talk through what happened. Those same sources said Randle was dropped off at the team’s practice facility late Wednesday afternoon, got into his car and left.
On Thursday morning, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported that Randle is also facing a suspension from the league for violating its personal conduct policy in a separate incident.
#Cowboys RB Joseph Randle violated the personal conduct policy for an arrest in Wichita. Charges were dropped, NFL did its own investigation
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 29, 2015
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
Whether or not these incidents will affect Randle’s employment with the Cowboys is anybody’s guess at this point. But one thing is true: When you begin to show you may be expendable in the NFL, it may not be a good idea to get suspended by the league, then skip out early from practice without permission.
(Via Dallas News)
