Trent Richardson waived by Baltimore Ravens
Trent Richardson is already a major NFL Draft bust, and he’s now been waived by the Baltimore Ravens.
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Sometimes NFL roster cuts during training camp come down to a simple numbers game, with a need at one position driving a reduction at another. Trent Richardson signed with the Baltimore Ravens this off-season, and now a week into training camp he has been waived. Wide receiver Chuck Jacobs has been signed to take Richardson’s place on the Ravens’ roster.
Richardson was out of the league in 2015, after being cut by the Oakland Raiders late in the preseason and getting what amounted to token workouts with the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos during the regular season. He last played for the Indianapolis Colts in 2014, as he averaged a dismal 3.3 yards per carry over 15 regular season games.
Richardson joined a deep group of running backs in Baltimore, with Justin Forsett, Javorius “Buck” Allen, Kenneth Dixon, Lorenzo Taliaferro and Terrance West also competing for roles and roster spots. Arthroscopic knee surgery in June started the former top five overall pick on the wrong foot with the Ravens, along with a hamstring issue that kept him out of off-season work, and Richardson was then placed on the active/PUP list to start training camp.
Richardson had a fairly promising rookie season with the Cleveland Browns in 2012, with 950 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground along with 51 receptions. It’s been all downhill since though, including an uninspiring 31 game stint with the Colts, but it’s worth noting that Richardson is still just 26 years old.
Since it’s so early in training camp, Richardson may find a new opportunity before too long. But he’ll have to prove he’s healthy enough to make it through a workout, with follow-up hurdles in practices and preseason games that may prove daunting as he tries to earn a spot on a 53-man roster.
It’s quite possible Richardson’s meaningful NFL career is over. I don’t expect he’ll give up the dream though, so maybe he’ll eventually surface in the CFL.
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