Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett wants running back Joseph Randle to focus on what he does on the field, and not about what he says to the media. Recently, Randle made a comment directed at former teammate DeMarco Murray leaving "a lot of meat on the bone," and he got some flak considering Murray was the NFL's leading rusher with over 1,800 yards a season ago.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett wants Joseph Randle to focus on his play and more OTA news
Jason Garrett wants Joseph Randle to concentrate on what he does on the field, not what he says off of it. Also, the San Francisco 49ers will be without Arik Armstead for OTAs and more from Wednesday in the NFL.
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Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Garrett said that the team addressed Randle’s comments with him immediately, and that they may have been taken out of context, as reported by David Moore of the Dallas News.
“I think Joe has great respect for DeMarco as we all do. Joe did a good job with his opportunities,” Garrett said. “Joe and everyone else on our football team, we have to focus on what we do, not with what we say and I think he understands that.”
Randle is vying for the Cowboys' starting running back job, and his primary competition is free agent signing Darren McFadden. It's anybody's guess as to who will win, but Randle showed good stuff in a limited role going up against a Murray-softened defense last season. McFadden was sitting out of team drills and working with the athletic trainer on Wednesday, according to Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram. Lance Dunbar received some first-team looks with McFadden out, Hill noted.
Here’s some other news and notes from around the NFL and OTAs on Wednesday:
Armstead to miss all of 49ers OTAs
The San Francisco 49ers will not get to see their rookie first-round pick Arik Armstead until training camp. That's because Armstead, the No. 17 overall pick, has not yet graduated and will not be able to join the team until June 12, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. The final 49ers minicamp is set to run from June 9 through 11. Armstead has actually completed most or all of what's required of him at Oregon, but the school's academic calendar runs through June 11, and NFL rules state he cannot join the team until then.
Armstead is a high-potential player who should slot well into Jim Tomsula and Eric Mangini's defense. With Justin Smith electing to call it a career and multiple other high-profile departures this offseason, development of the rookie class is crucial. That said, Armstead is a very raw player, and already didn't figure to see the field much as a rookie. With an entire offseason of organized team activities down the drain, his chances of contributing are even less at this point.
Wilson leaves practice with hamstring injury
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Albert Wilson left practice on Wednesday with a hamstring strain, according to Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star. Wilson is a second-year pro who is currently battling rookie Chris Conley for one of the starting receiver spots opposite Jeremy Maclin. It's unclear to what extent his hamstring is injured, but this definitely gives Conley some time to gain ground as a first-year player.
Wilson played in 12 games as a rookie, catching just 16 passes for 260 yards. He hasn’t shown much to this point, but the Chiefs like his potential and he’s been favored to win a starting role. If this hamstring injury sidelines him for any significant amount of time, though, then Conley could start to make an impact.
Matthews matched up with Maxwell in practice
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews is lining up against free agent addition Byron Maxwell in practice. On Tuesday, Matthews caught an over-the-shoulder pass for a big gain while blanketed by Maxwell. Although you could take that as a negative for Maxwell, it's certainly a positive for Matthews, who was totally ineffective against Maxwell when the Eagles played the Seattle Seahawks last season. Matthews averaged just under 100 yards a game in the four games before that, but left that one with only 23 yards.
After practice, Matthews said, “He’s been kicking my butt out here,” via Sheil Kapadia of Philadelphia Magazine. Matthews added, “It’s great for me to come out here and actually be able to compete against him. Last year, if anyone asked me who was the hardest corner I went against, easily No. 41 from the Seahawks. Easily.”
Maxwell’s best traits are his patience and large frame when it comes to being an effective cover corner, while Matthews is one of the more promising young receivers in the NFL. As a rookie in 2014, he caught 67 passes for 872 yards and eight touchdowns.
Jackson explains absence
Washington wide receiver DeSean Jackson was the only healthy starter not in attendance at voluntary practice sessions last week, but he has been practicing with the team for the past two days. On Wednesday, Jackson said that he is happy to be back and that he missed the voluntary sessions so he could tend to personal matters, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post.
“I came back, I’m in the flow of things. I’m still starting wide receiver on this team,” Jackson said. “I’m just happy to be here, happy to be putting the work in and being around the fellows again.”
Some criticized him for attending a basketball game on May 26, shortly before practices began in Washington. Jackson is one of the most prolific receivers in the league, and has 1,169 yards and six touchdowns in 2014.
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