Joseph Randle began the season as the starting running back for the Dallas Cowboys. What a difference one week makes. After straining his oblique last week, Randle lost his starting job to Darren McFadden. Now, he’s out of a job according to Clarence Hill Jr. of The Star-Telegram.
However, the reason for Randle’s release doesn’t appear to be entirely football-related. In six games this season, Randle rushed for 315 yards and four touchdowns.
Last week, Randle called police “because of concern about the whereabouts of his girlfriend.” Randle was also involved in several off-the-field incidents over the past year:
He was arrested twice in a four-month span from last October to February. He was investigated for shoplifting, marijuana possession and domestic violence.
The involvement in the domestic violence incident in Wichita, Kan., might play a role in his NFL future.
This past Sunday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones alluded to the fact that Randle’s mental health was a concern for the team:
“I’m always concerned as to any issues regarding the [mental] health of a player,” Jones said after the game. “It’s a lot more serious than the football [injury] and that’s why he’s not dressed out.”
Whatever the case may be, it seems that Randle is dealing with a lot more than a physical injury right now.
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