Trent Richardson Likely Inactive For AFC Championship Game
Trent Richardson will likely be inactive for Sunday’s AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots. The Indianapolis Colts running back did not join the team on their trip to New England.
Colts’ insider Kevin Brown posted a tweet suggesting Daniel Herron and Zurlon Tipton will be running in tandem in the championship game.
Trent Richardson did not make the trip to New England due to personal reasons. It’s once again the tandem of Herron/Tipton for the @Colts.
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowenColts) January 17, 2015
According to IndyStar, the Colts’ Friday injury report listed Trent Richardson as the only one who did not travel with the team to New England.
At this point, there’s no report of the basis of Trent Richardson’s personal reasons. However, there are some assumptions being tossed around. For instance, this last Thursday, Richardson reported how he was preparing for the AFC Championship game against the Patriots this coming Sunday.
“Like I’m going to be the starter. Because that’s just me.”
However, Daniel Herron has been the starting running back for Indianapolis for weeks. In fact, Richardson has seen only one snap this postseason. Additionally, Trent was a healthy scratch in last Sunday’s divisional playoff game win over the Denver Broncos.
During the regular season, Richardson had 15 appearances, averaging 34.6 rushing yards per game. He eventually lost his starting spot to Herron in early December.
On Thursday, Richardson spoke for the first time since being benched in favor of Michael Hill, a former practice squad running back who signed up with the Colts five days earlier.
“That situation will never happen to me again. Anybody can quote me, today, because it’s never going to happen again.”
All indications are that Richardson may not be benched — he may not even be at Sunday’s game.
Shortly before last Sunday’s divisional playoff game in Denver, Colts coach Chuck Pagano pulled Richardson to the side to tell him he wouldn’t be playing. With a trip to Super Bowl XLIX on the line, Richardson said he did not know whether he would be out there this week when the Colts take on the New England Patriots.
Richardson had this to say to about the coach’s decision.
“Whatever coach do, I’m going to agree with it, I’m going to be happy with it, because that’s what’s best for the team. If he call me up and tell me I’m going to be playing, I’m going to be ready. If not, I’m going to be cheering my teammates on because it’s their game.”
Richardson said he believes the reason he dropped down the depth chart is because he contracted an illness in late November. The ailment caused him to miss practices, but not games. This week, he discharged any speculation that he was overweight, and said he was attempting to contribute on special teams in order to earn himself a spot on the game-day roster.
Trent Richardson told USA Today reporters that he was working to make sure he would be picked to play in Sunday’s playoff game; however, he wasn’t going to be a distraction if he was not picked.
Presently, it’s not clear whether Trent Richardson will be playing in the AFC Championship game this Sunday. However, all points lead to him not being present at the playoff game. For that matter, some suggest Trent Richardson may never play for the Indianapolis Colts again.
[Image courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports]
