News: Cowboys rookie running back Joseph Randle is recovering from thumb surgery the team claims it knew about before drafting him in April. He's expected to be in a cast for six to eight weeks but will do individual drills and take mental reps during offseason minicamps. "It's certainly a restriction on his thumb, but I think candidly there are a lot of things we can do out here in OTAs and get that thumb clubbed up and he’ll get a lot of work in, a lot of valuable repetition," owner Jerry Jones said. "And we made that decision when we drafted him. Was he going to be able to be ready and that is mentally as well, prepared, to get out here to camp and not have to make up all the lost time in OTAs? I think he will be."
Analysis: There's some early Fantasy appeal for Randle after the Cowboys drafted him and added no one else to the running back depth chart behind starter DeMarco Murray. For now it sounds like the injury is no big deal. Randle ultimately figures to work on third downs with a chance to see a ton of work when, not if, Murray gets banged up. Randle is a reserve option worth a late-round pick in seasonal leagues and an early- to mid-round pick in rookie-only drafts.
News: ESPN reports Cowboys rookie running back Joseph Randle is sporting a brace on his hand.
Analysis: It is not known how he got hurt or just how badly he's injured but he posted on Twitter "Landed in the D, let's get to work!" and made no mention about the injury. For now it sounds like no big deal. Fantasy owners have their handcuff option for starter DeMarco Murray, who has struggled to stay healthy over his career. Randle could get some early down work in tandem with Murray but ultimately figures to work on third downs. Randle is more of a No. 2 option worth a late-round pick in seasonal leagues and an early- to mid-round pick in rookie-only drafts.
News: The Cowboys drafted Oklahoma State running back Joseph Randle with the 18th pick in the fifth round on Saturday. The Dallas Morning News reports that with Felix Jones no longer on the roster the Cowboys were looking for a back to compliment DeMarco Murray. Randle rushed for 1,417 yards and 14 touchdowns last season and 1,216 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2011. The 6-0, 200-pounder, who started 31 of 39 games at Oklahoma State, was also a valuable receiver, catching 108 balls for 917 yards and three touchdowns. “The NFL is a two-back system now so guys need other guys to come in and you don’t want to drop the tempo off much,” Randle said of playing with Murray. “I think we’ll work well together.”
Analysis: Fantasy owners now have their handcuff option for Murray, who has struggled to stay healthy in his first two years. He could get some early down work in tandem with Murray, but Randle is more of a No. 2 option, who might work on third downs. He's worth a late-round pick in seasonal leagues and a mid-round pick in rookie-only formats.
