Trent Richardson injury: Browns RB limited against Colts with ribs hurting

Playing with protective padding on his ribs, Cleveland Browns tailback Trent Richardson was limited to just one half of action on Sunday afternoon in a frustrating four-point loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Richardson contributed just eight rushing yards on eight ineffective carries in the early going, and did not return to the field when the Browns came out of the locker room following halftime after re-aggravating his rib injury. Backup Montario Hardesty was given No. 1 duties in the second half, even though Richardson still told Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal that he probably could have stayed on the field for the entire game.

Head coach Pat Shurmur ultimately decided to play things safe with his workhorse back following a limited week of practices, even in a game where the Browns could have desperately used his interior running ability late in the fourth quarter. Displeased with his performance as expected, Richardson also informed Ulrich that his injury is a tad more serious than some people are giving him credit for, and that he's simply not the same player on the field right now because of it.

The Browns return home to host the San Diego Chargers in Week 8, and Richardson's status is sure to be one of the biggest storylines throughout the week.