IRVING, Texas — Dallas running back Joseph Randle says he made a “huge mistake” when he was arrested on a shoplifting charge that led to a fine from the Cowboys, but no suspension. ADVERTISING IRVING, Texas — Dallas running back
IRVING, Texas — Dallas running back Joseph Randle says he made a “huge mistake” when he was arrested on a shoplifting charge that led to a fine from the Cowboys, but no suspension.
Randle was charged with a Class B misdemeanor of theft between $50 and $500 after he was accused of taking $123 worth of cologne and underwear from a department store at a suburban Dallas mall on Monday.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said Randle would be fined “significantly” but would play Sunday against the New York Giants.
Randle met with Garrett on Tuesday and addressed his teammates before practice Wednesday. He said he appreciated their support.
“They know people mess up,” Randle said. “I’m just trying to take full responsibility and really just move on from it.”
According to the arrest report, Randle was caught on video placing items later identified as a “tester” bottle of Gucci Guilty Black cologne and a two-pack of Polo underwear into a Dillard’s bag after making a purchase at the store at Stonebriar Centre, about 30 miles north of Dallas.
The 22-year-old Randle was stopped by a security guard in the parking lot and later told a police officer that when he saw the “old guy,” referring to the security guard, he thought to himself, “All right, y’all got me.”
The arrest came a day after one of Randle’s best games in two seasons with Dallas in a 30-23 victory against Super Bowl champion Seattle. He had a 38-yard run and a key tackle on a late kickoff.
“Well, I really just made a huge mistake. I disappointed a lot of people who really care about me, like my brothers on the team, coaches, this whole organization,” Randle said. “I let a lot of people down. I’m just going to try my best to make it up to them.”
Quarterback Tony Romo said he had talked to Randle.
“He obviously wants to make better decisions in the future and I think that the way that he sounds, he will,” Romo said. “We’re his pseudo-family here, so we’ve got his back.”
The Cowboys (5-1) play their first NFC East opponent in the Giants (3-3) on Sunday.
NFL sends information on Ebola to teams
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The NFL has sent a newsletter outlining the basic facts about the Ebola virus to all team doctors and trainers for distribution to players and staff.
The league said Wednesday the newsletter was written by the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network, the league’s infectious disease consultants, and sent to the league’s 32 teams on Monday.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Wednesday in an email the newsletter was informational.
The two doctors who signed the newsletter advised teams that they did not need to screen players or staff to make sure they have not had close contact with anyone who traveled to or from areas where Ebola is now endemic.
49ers QB Kaepernick’s fine cut in half
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s $11,025 fine from the NFL for what a game official called “inappropriate language” during the 49ers’ loss to the Chicago Bears last month was cut in half Wednesday.
Kaepernick noted that he doesn’t want to say anything more and draw further attention from the league.
Kaepernick has denied any wrongdoing when he and Chicago defensive end Lamarr Houston went at it after a fourth-quarter interception.
Kaepernick pointed to Houston’s own comments that the quarterback didn’t say anything offensive or out of line. Kaepernick shoved Houston.
Union spokesman George Atallah tweeted that the union is disappointed that Kaepernick’s fine was not eliminated “given the finding there was no racial slur used.”
Kaepernick also was fined for wearing the pink “Beats by Dre” brand headphones following the 49ers’ win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bills WR Williams tells agent to end trade talks
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills receiver Mike Williams is still not at all happy about being benched last weekend. That doesn’t mean he wants out of Buffalo.
Williams took matters into his own hands by saying, “I’m the boss and I want to be here,” in ordering his agent Hadley Engelhard to stop seeking trade offers. At the same time, Williams defended Engelhard for opening discussions by saying the agent was merely doing his job.
The comments were Williams’ first since general manager Doug Whaley revealed on Monday the Bills granted Engelhard permission to seek a trade. It happened a day after the fifth-year player was inactive for the first time this season in a 37-22 loss to New England.
It’s unclear whether Williams will play Sunday, when Buffalo (3-3) hosts Minnesota (2-4).
Redskins QB Griffin III returns to practice
ASHBURN, Va. — Robert Griffin III returned to practice Wednesday for the Washington Redskins, throwing passes in individual and one-on-one drills in his first such work since he dislocated his left ankle in Week 2.
Griffin wore cleats with high ankle support and looked a bit rusty. His first pass hit fullback Darrel Young on the back of the shin, but he also had some good throws during the one-on-ones when defensive backs were covering receivers.
Griffin took the first snap in each of the drills early in the practice, ahead of current starter Kirk Cousins
Coach Jay Gruden has said Griffin might begin taking full-team snaps next week.
Griffin isn’t expected to play until Nov. 2 against Minnesota at the earliest. A more likely scenario has him back Nov. 16 against Tampa Bay following the bye.
Griffin was hurt early in a 41-10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 14. The Redskins (1-5) have since lost four straight with Cousins.
By wire sources
