Colts’ Vick Ballard passed a physical and is medically cleared
By Mike Dyce
The Indianapolis Colts got some good news on Wednesday, running back Vick Ballard has been medically cleared from an ACL injury and is ready to practice when training camp starts.
RB Vick Ballard (ACL) said he's been cleared and expects to be on the field for the first day of camp.
— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNFL) July 23, 2014
Ballard went down in the first fame of the season after 13 carries for 63 yards and it prompted the Colts to make the trade for Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson. Unfortunately for Ballard, Richardson is being named the starter heading into training camp and head coach Chuck Pagano expects him to have a big year.
“Coming in under the circumstances which he did would be tough on anybody,” Pagano, via the USA Today. “Certainly having a year under his belt and a full offseason … he’s put the time in and has a better understanding of the offense. The expectations are what they are, and I think Trent expects probably more of Trent than anybody else.
“Fully expect him to have a great year.”
Ballard is a solid safety net if Richardson struggles like he did in the 2013 season. In 2012, Ballard carried the ball 211 times for 814 yards and a solid 3.9 yards per carry.