Trent Richardson injury: Browns rookie still hurting after Week 7

Browns head coach Pat Shurmur says that he’s all right with his decision to play Richardson last week given that the running back avoided any setbacks, but the first-round pick struggled in the game. Expected to be a dynamic talent, he averaged just 1 yard per carry over eight carries against the Colts last Sunday.

Previous reports have said that Richardson could sit out the team’s next two games, take advantage of the bye in Week 10 and return much healthier on Nov. 18, but Shurmur likely wants his key playmaker on the field sooner. If he’s able to practice, it’s hard to imagine him sitting out the next three-plus weeks.

ESPN’s Ed Werder reported Tuesday on SportsCenter that the Browns are discussing shutting down Trent Richardson through their Week 10 bye, though no decision has been made yet. Waiting For Next Year transcribed Werder’s quotes regarding the matter.

Richardson said after that game that the injury is “much bigger than folks think it is,” making the scenario of him sitting through the team’s bye week a much more plausible scenario.

Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson was ineffective Sunday, rushing for only eight yards, while trying to play through an injury. When he didn’t play in the second half, many questioned whether he re-injured his ribcage, but Browns head coach Pat Shurmur revealed that, in fact, Richardson was simply benched because it was clear he wasn’t nearly at full strength to begin with.

Richardson told FOX Sports Ohio’s Pat McManamon after the game that, among other things, outsiders didn’t realize how bad the injury is. Here are some key quotes. Click through the above link for Richardson’s full comments: