Trent Richardson listed questionable
Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) runs the ball during the third quarter against the St. Louis Rams at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Rams won 38-8. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Trent Richardson has been a massive disappointment for the Indianapolis Colts, as he isn’t coming anywhere close to allowing the Colts to cash in on the first-round pick that they sent to the Cleveland Browns in order to acquire the former first rounder. Richardson was supposed to bolster the Colts offense by adding a strong running game to help out star QB Andrew Luck and give more balance to the offense, but he’s averaged a horrendous three yards per carry. He can’t blame the blocking either, because rising No. 2 back Donald Brown has left him in the dust in just about every way. Richardson is still going to get solid carries despite Brown’s success, but I have a hard time seeing that continue if T-Rich continues to struggle, especially once the Colts get into the playoffs.
The Indianapolis Star’s Stephen Holder reports that the Colts have officially listed Trent Richardson as questionable on the injury report due to a sore calf, but Richardson is still fully expected to play in this week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. The Colts will be facing old OC Bruce Arians, who is heading up a bounce-back operation in the desert. The Cardinals run defense isn’t an easy code to decipher, and it will be interesting to see what the carries split between Richardson and Brown is following Brown’s massive Thursday night performance last week against the Tennessee Titans and Richardson’s dud day on the ground.
Richardson stated earlier this week that he believes he’s doing well, which is absolute hogwash. I mean, how many running backs who average three yards per carry are doing well when their backup is easily outplaying them? Chuck Pagano continues to speak with confidence regarding Richardson’s play, but the well of compliments will soon run dry if Richardson continues to struggle. The calf injury won’t keep him out of this week’s game, though, so don’t be worried about his questionable status. Instead, be worried that he once again won’t get anything going, with another deterrent for his fantasy status being the Cardinals run D.