The Indianapolis Colts released their list of inactives for today’s divisional playoff game against the Denver Broncos. The most surprising name on the list was that of running back Trent Richardson.
Richardson saw his role with the team reduced over the past few weeks. He only saw the field for one snap against the Bengals in the Wild Card round last week. He was ill prior to that game and didn’t practice for most of week.
Game Inactives
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) January 11, 2015
25 J. Brown
34 Richardson
40 Price
51 Muamba
71 Nixon
72 Harrison
94 Kerr
With the emergence of Dan Herron and solid snaps from Zurlon Tipton, Richardson wasn’t crucial for the offense.
He was working with special teams punt coverage unit at practice this week.
Richardson finished the regular season with 519 yards off 159 carries (a 3.2 yard average) and three touchdowns. He also had 27 receptions for 229 yards.
In his career with the Colts, Richardson rushed for 977 yards a three yard per carry average. He also found the endzone six times on the ground.
The Colts traded a first round pick to the Cleveland Browns for Richardson early last season after Vick Ballard suffered a torn ACL.
It was late in the season last year when Richardson saw his snap count drop as Donald Brown outplayed him. He had just four carries for one yard and a lost fumble in the playoffs last season.
Richardson split carries with Ahmad Bradshaw this season and essentially became the lone back after Bradshaw broke his ankle against the Patriots.
Richardson has been given more than enough chances with the Colts and this move has to be a sign that his time with the team is over. After last season, many wanted to give him a full offseason with the team to become comfortable with the playbook. He’s had that time and still hasn’t shown any signs of improvement.
He’s never shown the ability to burst through the hole and there are rumors that his weight has been an issue. There is the possibility that he could lose weight in the offseason and improve his speed, but there are still other issues that persist with Richardson.
With Ballard and Bradshaw ending back-to-back seasons on IR and Richardson’s demotion, the Colts will likely be in the market for a new running back.