The Cleveland Browns didn't expect to be contending for the playoffs in 2012, with an offense that prominently features two rookies and can boast four or five at any given time depending on how many wide receivers happen to be on the field. But they were hoping for a bit more out of the third overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, running back Trent Richardson.
That being said, Richardson hasn't been healthy all season, at least according to his words, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
"Missing four [preseason] games took a toll. I wasn't me when I first got out there. I still haven't been 100 percent just yet. I mean, I had two surgeries in less than [six] months. It's frustrating because I want to be out there all the time. The league hasn't seen me at 100 percent yet."
Richardson had arthroscopic knee surgery on Aug. 9 that caused him to miss a large portion of training camp and all of the team's preseason. It was more preventative than anything, but Richardson says he hasn't been up to par yet this season. He's falling short of expectations, but his injury talks are legitimate and there's no reason to hit the panic button just yet.
On Wednesday, Richardson was limited at practice with a rib injury suffered in the team's loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. He says there's no chance he's going to miss Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers, but smart money is on him not being 100 percent again, if he does play.