INDIANAPOLIS -- While Indianapolis Colts safety LaRon Landry has cemented his spot back in the starting lineup, there’s a mystery on where running back Trent Richardson fits in.
Richardson was demoted to the third running back spot behind Daniel “Boom” Herron and Zurlon Tipton against the Cincinnati Bengals last weekend. The Colts said Richardson was the third running back because he missed some practice time last week, but he still played a snap in the second half.
Colts coach Chuck Pagano was asked about Richardson’s role against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
“We’re going to evaluate the situation as we go through the week and we’ll know more as we go through the week,” Pagano said.
That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement from the head coach.
“We’re wanting to see more, wanting our guys to produce at the highest level we think they can.” Colts general manager Ryan Grigson said about Richardson on WFNI-1070 AM in Indianapolis earlier this week.
Grigson was asked if he regretted trading for Richardson in September 2013.
“When we made that trade it was a great shot in the arm,” Grigson said during the radio interview. “We lost our starter. I felt like it was the right football move at that time. I’ll never back off that thought. I thought it was a no-brainer.”
Where things stood with Richardson was evident when the Colts basically held an audition at running back against the Tennessee Titans in the regular-season finale.
Tipton moved ahead of Richardson on the depth chart because he showed some spark against the Titans.
The Colts decided to go with the better tandem against the Bengals.
Herron, who had 141 total yards and a touchdown against Cincinnati, will continue to be the starter. It’s up to Richardson, who has rushed for 519 yards this season, to see if he can move ahead of Tipton on the depth chart.