The Colts gave up a first-round pick to acquire Richardson from the Cleveland Browns in 2013. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Now is the time for Trent Richardson to perform, Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson said.
“Trent, he needs to answer the bell and do his job to the best of his ability,” Grigson said, discussing the presumed starting running back.
The Colts gave up a first-round pick to acquire Richardson from the Cleveland Browns in 2013. The pick, 26th overall, was used by the Browns in May to select quarterback Johnny Manziel.
In return, Richardson averaged 2.4 yards per carry, admitting he never had a full grasp of his role or the playbook as Donald Brown emerged as the No. 1 back down the stretch for the AFC South champions.
With Brown in San Diego via free agency, the door is propped open for Richardson, but Grigson said the Colts will not play doorman for long.
“We’re all accountable here. I will say this: There are a lot of backs last year that wouldn’t have got (2.9 yards per carry) considering the amount of people he had in that box and the amount of bodies that were hitting him before he even seemed to get the ball sometimes. He’s such a hard runner, we know how tough he is, but he’s got to produce just like all these guys do on this final 53.”
Grigson said in February that he would have made the same trade again despite the modest results. Richardson, 23, was the third overall pick in the 2012 draft.
The Colts brought back veteran Ahmad Bradshaw, retained veteran Dan Herron — signed from the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad in October 2013 — and on Wednesday traded for David Fluellen, the Toledo product who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. Bradshaw has not played yet in the preseason.
“I know there’s still a lot to come and still a lot to work on. When it comes down to it, we’re just a work in progress right now,” Richardson said.
With the offensive line showing improvement and a fearsome trio at wide receiver — Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton and Hakeem Nicks — and defenders zeroing in on quarterback Andrew Luck, an improved effort from Richardson could put Pep Hamilton’s offense over the top.
It hasn’t happened in the preseason. Richardson is averaging 2.4 yards with 34 yards on 14 carries.
“I think any time for any back, not only Trent, I think any time you spread people out and you’re in one-back situations, you’re in the gun,” head coach Chuck Pagano said. “Everything’s dictated on what the defense presents. If they give you a light box, it doesn’t matter who’s in there, you’re going to have an opportunity to gain some yards.”
Vick Ballard is out for the season following a non-contact Achilles injury during training camp.
It is the second injury setback in two seasons for the second-year veteran. The 5-foot-10, 224-pound running back from Mississippi State was returning to action after sitting out most of the 2013 season with a torn right ACL.
