Joseph Randle has gone from starting Dallas Cowboys running back to NFL afterthought in a span of two weeks.
The Cowboys have waived Randle, the team announced Tuesday. The running back went unclaimed on waivers and became a free agent on Wednesday, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
The news comes just four days after Randle was deemed to have violated the NFL's personal-conduct policy for a recent arrest in Wichita, Kansas. He's facing a one- or two-game suspension, per Rapoport.
Randle was also arrested for shoplifting in October of 2014.
Through six games this season, Randle averaged 4.1 yards per carry as part of an early-season backfield rotation. After watching Darren McFadden shoulder 57 touches for 275 yards the past two weeks, the Cowboys reached the conclusion that Randle isn't worth the off-the-field baggage that accompanies him.
Dallas will presumably go forward with McFadden as the three-down starter and talented but enigmatic Christine Michael as the backup and change-of-pace option.
It will be interesting to see if Randle attracts legitimate interest on the open market. He's not a workhorse back capable of consistently moving the chains and sustaining a rushing attack for four quarters.
For all of the offseason hype generated for Randle's chances of superstardom behind a stalwart offensive line, he simply left too much meat on the bone when handed a prime opportunity.
