It’s been looking like Browns running back Trent Richardson would miss the preseason opener for a few days now and the Browns confirmed it on Wednesday.
Richardson won’t play against the Rams as a result of the shin injury that has cost him some practice time recently. Coach Rob Chudzinski said that Richardson would play if this was a regular season game, but it isn’t so the Browns will go the precautionary route.
“It’s the preseason,’' Chudzinski said, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “We have a plan for that and we’re making sure he gets reps as needed out here in practice and we build him to be ready for the beginning of the season.”
Chudzinski went on to say that he had no concerns about Richardson being ready at that point, which makes sense since there is plenty of time for him to get the necessary reps during the rest of the preseason. Dion Lewis will get the start at tailback for the Browns, who will also be without Montario Hardesty in the backfield on Thursday night.
Safety T.J. Ward, guard Shaun Lauvao and cornerback Leon McFadden will also be held out of the first preseason game of the year.