NFL Player News

Randle (strained oblique) -- who reportedly could be facing a one or two-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal-conduct policy -- is excused from the team and is thus slated to be inactive for the Cowboys' game against the Seahawks on Sunday, as he deals with what is described as a personal issue, NFL.com reports.

While Randle's status for this Sunday has been clarified, the running back's availability beyond Week 8 remains unclear. As a result, this weekend -- and quite possibly beyond -- the Cowboys are in line to roll with a ground game headed by Darren McFadden, with Christine Michael and Rod Smith also on hand to see complementary/reserve action in the team's backfield.

Randle (back) is still addressing some personal issues and has not returned to the Cowboys' practice facility as of Friday morning, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Randle is still away from the team, so he will sit out practice Friday for the third day in a row. The Cowboys will not reveal his status for Sunday's game until later Friday, but head coach Jason Garrett said Thursday that he does not expect Randle to play in Week 8, and another missed practice certainly does not help Randle's chances.

Rawls (calf) was limited in practice Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

After emerging from last Thursday's win at San Francisco with a calf contusion, Rawls is taking it slow this week, as the Seahawks attempt to keep their trio of backs healthy. On his current trajectory, he's set to serve as a reserve to Marshawn Lynch (hamstring) on Sunday in Dallas.

Bolden (hamstring) is listed as active for Thursday night's game against the Dolphins.

The same applies to fellow RBs Dion Lewis LeGarrette Blount and James White, with Bolden likely to contribute mostly as a special-teamer on Thursday.

Jason Garrett relayed Thursday that the Cowboys don't expect to have running back Joseph Randle (oblique) suit up Sunday against the Seahawks, per Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News.

Randle is in danger of sitting out "because of his injury" rather than the Thursday morning development that he's facing potential discipline for a violation of the league's personal conduct policy.

The back has lost his starting spot to Darren McFadden. He is also away from the team due to a "personal issue," according to the team website.

Cowboys running back Joseph Randle, who did not practice Wednesday due to a strained oblique, is reportedly facing discipline for violating the league personal conduct policy, ESPN.com reports.

In a best-case scenario, Randle would only be fined, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggests that he faces a one or two game suspension stemming from his February arrest. Rapoport further notes that his reported violation of the league's personal conduct policy is "firearm and conduct related."

Randle left the Cowboys' practice facility Wednesday afternoon after being informed of his removal from the starting lineup, but he is expected to return to the team Thursday, DallasNews.com reports.

Randle was clearly not pleased with the Cowboys' decision to replace him in the starting lineup with Darren McFadden, and left the team following Wednesday's practice. Later in the evening Randle was able to speak with Cowboys coaches, who convinced him to return to the team Thursday. While Randle will be back with the team, it remains to be seen if he will practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's session due to the oblique injury he suffered last week. Moving forward, he was already looking at a reduced role behind McFadden, and his playing time could be further affected by his injury and Wednesday's unexpected departure from the team facility.

Rawls (calf) didn't participate in practice Wednesday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Rawls sustained a calf contusion in last Thursday's game at San Francisco, finishing with six rushes for 32 yards and two catches for nine yards. His snap count (11) compared favorably with fellow reserve running back Fred Jackson (18), but if Rawls' injury lingers throughout the week, Jackson could act as the primary backup to Marshawn Lynch (hamstring) on Sunday at Dallas.

Thompson (hamstring) practiced fully Wednesday.

Thompson appears poised to return to action Sunday night against the Packers, though as long as C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman remain healthy, Thompson's fantasy value is limited.

Bolden (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Dolphins.

After missing this past Sunday's game against the Jets, Bolden's Week 8 status remains cloudy, which is also the case with fellow RB Dion Lewis. With that in mind, as Thursday's contest approaches, LeGarrette Blount and James White still represent the Patriots' healthiest backfield options.