Indianapolis Colts RB Vick Ballard suffered torn Achilles

Vick Ballard was carted off the practice field earlier on Friday and hours later the Indianapolis Colts’ worst fears were confirmed with the news that Ballard has torn his Achilles, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.

Ballard is looking at another lost season after tearing his ACL in the season opener against the Oakland Raiders when he rushed for 63 yards on 18 attempts. The injury last year opened the door to trading for former No. 3 overall pick Trent Richardson from the Cleveland Browns.

The former fifth round pick out of Mississippi State was expected to provide a great deal of competition in the Colts backfield this preseason and push Richardson and veteran Ahmad Bradshaw for playing time.

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With Richardson struggling since the trade and Bradshaw always an injury risk it was conceivable that Ballard could have been the team’s starter with a strong start to the season, but that is all a moot point now with Bradshaw likely out for the season.

Bradshaw rushed for 814 yards while making 12 starts as a rookie, but his once-promising career has stalled as a result of a second devastating lower-body injury and faces another grueling rehab period in the hopes of resurrecting his career with the Colts or elsewhere in 2015.

Injuries are a part of the game, but you hate to see them hit in training camp and to young players who have so much promise and especially in back-to-back years.

Hopefully Ballard can make a bid to win the 2015 comeback player of the year award.