Dallas Cowboys

Jason Garrett: The decision to release Randle was in Cowboys' best interest

Published Nov. 4, 2015 3:57 p.m. ET

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The Dallas Cowboys released running back Joseph Randle earlier this week after the third-year running back went AWOL following Darren McFadden's promotion to the starting lineup. Head coach Jason Garrett talked about the team's decision for the first time on Tuesday.

"Oh, I think a number of factors went into it,'' Garrett told reporters, per the Dallas Morning News. "I think ultimately you look at the body of work of a player and how he can help your football team.

"Ultimately, every decision we make here is made in the best interest of the Dallas Cowboys. No individual player or coach or anyone in our organization comes before that. That's the guiding principle that we use and we just felt at this time it was most important for him to get some of the issues that he has in his personal life squared away and it was important for us as a football team to focus on the task at hand that we have going forward without him.

Following Randle's release, the Cowboys are left thin at the running back position. Darren McFadden has taken over as the featured back and Christine Michael is next behind him on the depth chart. The Cowboys also signed running back Trey Williams off the Redskins' practice squad.