SB Nation Cleveland - Trent Richardson Injury Update: Browns RB Returns To Practice

Trent Richardson injury: Browns RB practicing, may share carries vs. Colts

2012-10-18T17:26:18Z

Browns running back Trent Richardson was back at practice on Thursday according to the AP's Tom Withers, just days after leaving the Browns' win over the Bengals with a rib injury. Head coach Pat Shurmur says that Richardson may play this weekend against the Colts, but will likely share carries with Montario Hardesty and Chris Ogbonnaya.

Offensive coordinator Brad Childress is high on Hardesty's potential, saying that he's a different type of runner than the bruising Richardson, and that he played well against the Bengals last week.

Hardesty served as the Browns' feature back for the second half against the Bengals, and racked up 56 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown. Those totals also represent Hardesty's total production for the season. He also has one catch for nine yards. Ogbonnaya has only three caries for 10 yards on the season, but has 16 catches for 156 yards and is greater threat in the passing game.

Trent Richardson Injury: RB Says Knee Has Responded Well Since Opener, Still Wearing Sleeve

2012-09-12T20:59:21Z

Fantasy owners likely weren't too thrilled with a 39-yard performance from Browns tailback Trent Richardson in Week 1, but the first-year runner is reportedly feeling quite well after making his NFL debut, according to Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.

Richardson was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, and as noted by The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot, the rookie is still donning a rubber sleeve on his surgically-repaired knee. Although he sat out the entire preseason and is still getting acclimated to the speed of NFL defenses, the 5'9, 230-pound back let Petrak know that he doesn't believe he deserves a free pass:

#Browns RB Richardson said he was rusty in opener, but "that's not an excuse. i'm still a pro."
— Scott Petrak (@ScottPetrak) September 12, 2012

With the Browns set to face a Bengals defense that was absolutely shredded by the Ravens on Monday Night Football, it seems feasible that Richardson will be able to find a few more running lanes in Week 2. The fact that he doesn't appear bothered by his serious knee injury is clearly the single greatest sign of all however, and it certainly bodes well for Cleveland's chances this season.

Be sure to stay with this StoryStream for more news on Trent Richards' knee, and head over to Dawgs By Nature for more on the Browns. Also visit SB Nation's NFL hub for even more news and analysis from around the league.

Trent Richardson Injury Update: Browns RB Will Start Sunday Against Eagles

2012-09-09T15:12:09Z

Injured Cleveland Browns rookie running back Trent Richardson will start Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com:

Good AM. Couple nuggets: Browns RB Trent Richardson (knee surgery) will start today. And LB Scott Fujita is unlikely to play, per sources.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 9, 2012

Richardson, a first round pick out of Alabama, had knee surgery on Aug. 9. He did not play the entire preseason. He had been doing rehab work until Monday, when he returned to practice, and he was practicing in pads by the end of the week.

The Browns had previously said that if Richardson were healthy enough to play, he would be the starter in the season opener.

Dawgs By Nature has you covered for all the latest on the Browns while Bleeding Green Nation has all the latest news and analysis on the Eagles. Check out SB Nation's NFL hub for coverage around the league.

Trent Richardson Injury Update: Browns RB Practicing Friday, Ready For Eagles

2012-09-07T16:57:43Z

It appears that running back Trent Richardson will be ready to go for the Browns' opener against the Eagles on Sunday, as he was practicing Friday, according to the cadre of reporters at Browns practice.

#Browns RB Trent Richardson and CB Joe Haden both practicing. Set to play Sunday.
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) September 7, 2012

Trent Richardson looks like a go Sunday; practicing again as is Joe Haden who is appealing suspension
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) September 7, 2012

The first-round pick had a second surgery on his left knee on Aug. 9 and missed all four preseason games. He had not been seen outside on the practice field until last weekend, but he's worked his way back into pads this week and appears ready for action. Head coach Pat Shurmur said Richardson would be the starter if he was healthy, and it appears that will be the case.

For more on the Browns, check out Dawgs by Nature or stick with SB Nation Cleveland. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Trent Richardson Named Browns Starter If Healthy

2012-09-04T13:29:41Z

Rookie running back Trent Richardson returned to practice on Monday for the Cleveland Browns, leading to speculation that he could play in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

Said coach Pat Shurmur, "If he's ready to go, he will be our starter."

The former Alabama star had surgery on his left knee for the second time on Aug. 9. Richardson missed all four preseason games, and had been rehabbing on his own before returning to practice Monday.

This year's No. 3 overall pick is likely to be a game-time decision, since the Browns will have to wait and see how Richardson recovers from his first, and only, week in practice.

If he cannot go, Montario Hardesty will be the starter. Hardesty was a second-round selection for the Browns in 2010.

For more on the Browns, check out Dawgs by Nature or stick with SB Nation Cleveland. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Trent Richardson Injury: Browns RB Will Start Week 1 If He Plays

2012-09-03T20:44:22Z

Speaking at a news conference on Monday afternoon, Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur said that Trent Richardson "looks healthy" in practice and he'll start on Sunday in the season opener if he's able to play. Shurmur is optimistic that the first round pick will be able to take the field (quotes via Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com):

I think each person is different when they come back from injury and you handle each injury separately. We’ll see as we go. All along I’ve been hopeful that he’d be there.

Richardson had surgery on his left knee on Aug. 9, but he's been progressing quickly in his rehab from the injury. If he's unable to go, Brandon Jackson and Montario Hardesty are the next two running backs on the depth chart for Cleveland. The Browns' top three backs have a combined 1,595 career rushing yards in the NFL.

For more on the Cleveland Browns, go to Dawgs By Nature. You can also get all of your professional football news over at SB Nation's NFL hub.

Trent Richardson Injury Update: Browns RB Returns To Practice

2012-09-03T15:32:40Z

Cleveland Browns rookie running back Trent Richardson returned to practice Monday. It's his first practice since he had surgery on his left knee Aug. 9. It's unclear whether Richardson will be ready in time to play in Sunday's season-opener. Here were some early observations on Richardson from reporters.

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

#browns t-richardson warming up to practice today for eagles game
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 3, 2012

Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan:

Richardson wearing sleeve on left knee - looks pretty smooth early and not favoring anything
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) September 3, 2012

Tony Grossi for ESPN Cleveland:

Yes, here is #browns RB Trent Richardson live and on the practice field. twitter.com/TonyGrossi/sta…
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) September 3, 2012

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Trent Richardson Injury Update: Browns RB Makes An Appearance At Practice, Getting Closer To Return

2012-09-01T20:31:01Z

The Cleveland Browns have remained optimistic all along that rookie running back Trent Richardson wouldn't miss any time in the regular season. It's going to come down to the wire, but recent reports indicate that it's looking more likely that he's in action on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles for the opener. Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer reports that Richardson is getting closer to returning to the practice field:

Coach Pat Shurmur remains "very optimistic'' that Richardson will play next Sunday against the Eagles in the opener. "He's very close (to practicing),'' said Shurmur. "If he's ready, he'll play.''

According to Cabot, Richardson was outside riding the exercise bike on Saturday. It's the first time he's been seen doing as much since having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Aug. 9. Richardson is a running back, so it's likely that he'll be in action on Sunday if he's cleared to go, even without much practice, if at all.

Transitioning to the NFL level is always tough, but for running backs, it's generally a bit easier. Their job has a lot of ins and outs, but at the end of the day, the Browns need a guy who can grab a football and pick up yardage, and by all accounts, that's what Richardson will be able to do. If he returns to a full practice, smart money is on him playing on Sunday.

For more on the Cleveland Browns, go to Dawgs By Nature. You can also get all of your professional football news over at SB Nation's NFL hub.