NFL Player News

When the Colts traded a first-round pick to the Browns for running back Trent Richardson in 2013, they probably didn't envision the problems that have risen from someone once considered to be a can't-miss NFL running back.

According to an ESPN report, there appears to be a lot more to Richardson's AFC Championship Game suspension than the simple fact he missed a team walkthrough without notifying the team beforehand.

The report states that multiple incidents have piled up that have frustrated the Colts. After Richardson injured his hamstring in mid-October, his weight ballooned from 225 pounds to 240. When Ahmad Bradshaw fractured his fibula against the Patriots in November, the Colts were unable to get in touch with Richardson until 1 p.m. the next day.

The tipping point was probably that missed walkthrough before the AFC Championship Game. The Colts suspended him for the conference title matchup against New England, and if he's back with Indianapolis next season, he'll be suspended for the opener as well.

Richardson finished the 2014 season with only 519 yards and three touchdowns.

Much of the country had the same thought following the Seahawks' final offensive play against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX. That was that if running back Marshawn Lynch was given the ball from inside the 1-yard line, the game and season's championship would have gone to Seattle.

Instead, the Seahawks ran a passing play which was picked off by Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler.

Appearing on the NFL Network's NFL AM on Monday, Patriots running back Shane Vereen admitted the outcome of what was a thrilling Super Bowl may have been different if Lynch got the ball in that moment.

"I think it's a different game, I think it's a different ending," Vereen said. "When I was on the sideline, and I saw where they had the ball in the situation, we were trying to get some plays together for the offense to try and get at least a field goal to tie the thing up. So my focus was mainly more on that, 'cause I definitely thought they were going to hand it to him and he was gonna punch it in."

Although there's a good chance the Jets will release running back Chris Johnson, running back Chris Ivory still could face a smaller role due to Chan Gailey's offense, reports ESPN.com.

Gailey's spread attack "puts a premium on a running back who can play in space and catch the ball," the website said. "That could mean a smaller role for Ivory."

Ivory (6-0, 222 pounds) is entering the final year of his deal. He played 42 percent of the snaps last season, compared to 37 percent for Johnson, per the website.

ESPN.com says the "ideal fit" for the Jets would be impending free agent C.J. Spiller, who had his best year, 2012, playing for Gailey in Buffalo.

Cowboys running back Joseph Randle has had his suspicion of marijuana possession charge dropped, according to the Associated Press. 

Police spokesman Lt. James Espinoza told the AP that there were "inconsistencies" with the drug charge and therefore they would not bring it.

However, the report also states that by dropping the marijuana charge, police can charge Randle with other offenses at the same time from a domestic violence allegation that occurred from the same incident.

Earlier Friday, the Dallas Morning News reported Randle's ex-girlfriend, Dalia Jacobs, filed a petition for a protective order against the Cowboys running back. Jacobs claimed Randle pointed a gun at her friend and punched the windshield of a vehicle.

Police were called to the scene but never found a firearm.

Cowboys running back Joseph Randle's ex-girlfriend, also the mother of his child, has filed a petition for a protective order against him, reports the Dallas Morning News.

Randle is accused of pointing a gun at his ex-girlfriend Dalia Jacobs' friend in a car, with his son Daniel in a passenger seat. Jacobs' friend then covered up the child with her body, which followed with Randle punching the windshield of the vehicle they were in.

Via the Dallas Morning News, the petition for a protective order states Randle "has a violent temper and gets angry very quickly."

Randle was arrested in his hometown of Wichita, Kan. on Wednesday after police responded to a domestic violence call. Police then found Randle in possession of marijuana, which resulted in the arrest. Randle was not taken to jail but received a misdemeanor citation. He's expected to appear in court on Feb. 24. A firearm was not found by police.

Randle, a Wichita native, made headlines during the NFL season after he was arrested for shoplifting cologne and underwear at a Dillard's in Texas.

Randle ran for 343 yards and three touchdowns for the Cowboys in 2014.

Responding to his second arrest in four months, Cowboys running back Joseph Randle tweeted, "Learning the value of a good Lawyer each day! #ItsAMust."

The Dallas Morning News noted Randle later tweeted advice about "watching out for the company you keep. He deleted that tweet about 20 minutes after it was sent."

Randle was charged with possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor, in Wichita, Kan., early Tuesday. He was not taken to jail but is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 24.

Randle has a hearing April 10 for an incident last fall in which he's accused of shoplifting a bottle of cologne and a pack of underwear from Dillard's. Following that arrest, Randle landed an underwear sponsorship from MeUndies.

The Cowboys fined Randle following the alleged shoplifting incident. They have not commented on Tuesday's incident.

Jets running back Chris Johnson is scheduled to count $5.25 million against the cap in 2015, "steep for a player who would be no more than a part-time back again," reports ESPN.com. The Jets would save $3.5 million by releasing Johnson, and "that probably will be the outcome."

The move could happen relatively soon, because the team has until Feb. 16 to decide whether to pay Johnson's $500,000 option bonus. Johnson, who signed a two-year, $8 million contract last offseason, will turn 30 in September and "isn't close to being the player he once was," the report said.

Splitting time with Chris Ivory, Johnson rushed 155 times for 663 yards (4.3 ypc) and a touchdown, adding 24 catches for 151 yards and another score. He was arrested last month in his hometown of Orlando for open carrying of a firearm, a second-degree misdemeanor.

Wichita, Kan. police said Cowboys running back Joseph Randle was arrested on a drug charge, according to a report from ABC television affiliate KAKE.

Authorities responded to a domestic violence call at a hotel room, where marijuana was discovered. Randle was arrested early Wednesday morning and charged with a misdemeanor. 

Randle, a Wichita native, made headlines during the NFL season after he was arrested for shoplifting cologne and underwear at a Dillard's in Texas.

Randle ran for 343 yards and three touchdowns in 2014.

In the Browns' backfield battle between Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West, "Crowell seems to be the more talented of the two, and he has the greater respect of his teammates, who feel he is a talented and dedicated player who simply needs to learn," reports ESPN.com.

Crowell ran for 607 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry, while West rushed for 673 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 3.9 ypc. Crowell lost two fumbles, West one. Neither rookie made a big impact in the passing game, though West had a receiving score.

"West was wildly inconsistent and never seemed happy about being yanked in and out of the lineup as the Browns decided to go with the guy who had the best week of practice as opposed to deciding on one guy," the report said. "West never seemed to master the playbook, as whoever was playing quarterback often had to tell him where to line up and where the play was going. Crowell showed great talent but as an undrafted player his learning curve was high."

The website says it would make sense for Cleveland to sign a veteran back to add to the mix.

According to the Browns' website, West is hitting the weight room hard and plans to report to camp at 215 pounds after finishing the season at 228. West aims to be "quicker and more nimble when hitting holes and juking defensive backs in the open field," the website said.

West has been boxing and doing a lot of cardio to get ready for next season.

"I’m out here working, baby,” West said in a video he posted. “I’m never trying to get off the field, man. This year is my year.”

Patriots running back Jonas Gray will be inactive for Super Bowl 49 along with Zach Moore, Josh Boyce, Brian Tyms, Joe Vellano, Jordan Devey and James White, the team announced.

Gray, who ran for 412 yards on 89 carries in eight games this season, had four carries for four yards in the AFC Championship game for New England. It was his first action in a game since Dec. 21 againt the Jets when he had six carries for five yards.

The game is currently pick'em between Seattle and New England Sunday.