Colts Trent Richardson Reportedly Inactive Because of Family Issue
According to Mike Wells of ESPN.com, Trent Richardson is inactive for today’s AFC Championship game because of a family issue:
"“I had to miss walk-through,” Richardson told ESPN.com on Sunday. “I’m dealing with a very serious family emergency. I’m still at the hospital. I wouldn’t purposely just miss walk-through.”“I wouldn’t just purposely turn my back on the team,” Richardson said. “I would have been there if I wasn’t dealing with this issue.”"
Richardson missed a walk-through earlier this week, and consequently, didn’t make the flight to New England per team protocol. It comes just two days after Richardson announced that, “He’d never be benched again.” A proclamation that now appears to be short-lived.
Dec 28, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
If there’s indeed a serious family issue, then it comes at an unfortunate time, where Richardson’s long-term Colts’ future is certainly in doubt. For Richardson, it could very well be the end to what has been an underwelming two-year stint with the Indianapolis Colts.
After being acquired by the Cleveland Browns in a high profile trade in 2013, one in which saw the Colts give up their 2014 first round pick, Richardson has largely been ineffective as a running back with his new team.
On the season, he has 159 carries for 519 rushing yards, resulting in a subpar 3.3 yards per carry average. Showing little to no burst or explosion as a rusher, Richardson lost his starting job to Dan “Boom” Herron earlier this season.
While Richardson is guaranteed $3.2MM next season regardless of whether he’s on the Colts roster or not, it’s hard to envision keeping a running back, who hasn’t been very good at carrying the football and cannot play special teams.
In Richardson’s absence, the Colts will once again go with running back Michael Hill as their 3rd listed running back on the depth chart. It will be the second consecutive week that Hill will have such a distinction, as he was active over Richardson last weekend reportedly because of his superior ability at special teams.