Cowboys running back Joseph Randle leaves team for personal issue

Dallas Cowboys Coach Jason Garrett said running back Joseph Randle was away from the team dealing with a personal issue and won’t play against Seattle this weekend because of a back injury.

Randle appeared at practice Wednesday before leaving the team’s facility, and he left after a brief appearance at the facility Thursday morning. Garrett declined to discuss the specifics of Randle’s absence.

The third-year back started the first six games for the Cowboys (2-4), but Garrett said Darren McFadden would start against the Seahawks (3-4) on Sunday after rushing for 152 yards on 29 carries last week against the New York Giants. Randle injured his back after two carries against New York.

Randle’s absence comes about a year after he was arrested on a shoplifting charge at a Dallas-area shopping mall. He was arrested again four months later in his hometown of Wichita, Kan., and police investigated a domestic disturbance complaint before declining to pursue charges against him.

While the case was being investigated, NFL officials showed up in Wichita to gather information on the case, something the league has said it will do under a revised personal conduct policy that includes a six-game suspension for a first offense in a domestic violence case.

An NFL spokesman said Thursday he had no information on whether the league had issued a report on Randle or was planning to discipline him.

Etc.

Middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict practiced with the Cincinnati Bengals for the first time in a year after getting medical clearance as he recovers from surgery on his left knee. ... New York Jets center Nick Mangold sat out practice for the second straight day with a sore neck, but is planning to play against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. ... Houston Texans Coach Bill O’Brien said defensive end J.J. Watt, who missed a practice this week with a minor back injury, is expected to play against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.