It was only a few short weeks ago that Joseph Randle was the starting running back for the Dallas Cowboys. Now, he's a street free agent. The Cowboys released Randle on Tuesday, according to a report from Cowboys beat writer Clarence Hill, Jr. ESPN's Adam Schefter confirmed the report shortly thereafter.
UPDATE: The team has confirmed the move.
Randle, 23, started the 2015 NFL season as the Cowboys' lead back. In six games this season, he'd managed 315 yards and four touchdowns as he did his best to replace the departed DeMarco Murray and live up to his now infamous "meat on the bone" comment. After looking like he was finally on his way to delivering on his promise with an 87-yard, three touchdown performance against the Atlanta Falcons, he followed that up with three games in which he managed just 112 yards combined.
Most recently, the former fifth-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft had been dealing with an oblique injury and, in his place, Cowboys offseason pickup Darren McFadden staked his own claim to the starting gig, posting games of 29 carries, 152 yards against the New York Giants and 20 carries, 64 yards against the Seattle Seahawks.
Randle has dealt with some recent issues beyond the injury though, which likely contributed to Tuesday's decision by the team. A report suggested that Randle left the Cowboys facility after learning that McFadden had been named the team's starter going forward after his effort against the Giants.
It was later revealed that Randle is also facing a suspension for a domestic violence arrest in Feb. on charges of unlawful possession of marijuana and a firearm. The domestic violence charges were dropped, but the league will still take the now-free agent to task for the drug and gun violations.
These issues, of course, came after a separate offseason arrest for Randle wherein he shoplifted cologne and underwear from a suburban mall.
With Randle presumably gone, McFadden will now take the reins of the Cowboys running game on a full-time basis - McFadden fantasy owners, rejoice! - with Christine Michael bumping up into the No. 2 role.
