Colts GM Ryan Grigson Reveals Reason Behind Trent Richardson's Absence

Colts running back Trent Richardson was inactive for Sunday's divisional-round game against the Broncos, and he's a game-time decision for the AFC title game against the New England Patriots as well. 

Continue for updates. 

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Colts GM Ryan Grigson Discusses Reason Behind Richardson's Absence

Friday, Jan. 23

ESPN's Mike Wells reported Colts general manager Ryan Grigson's thoughts on why Richardson didn't play vs. the Broncos or Patriots:

Wells also added more clarification and a quote from Grigson:

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Grigson, who spoke to the media during his end-of-season interview session, said Richardson will be "lumped into that conversation with guys this offseason."

"Where's he fit? Where's he going? Is his arrow up, down, sideways, 45-degree angle?" Grigson said.

Richardson served the first game of his suspension in the AFC Championship Game at New England and he'll serve the second game at the team's discretion next season if he's back, according to a league official, since they did not make the Super Bowl. Richardson is guaranteed $3.18 million in salary next season.

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Richardson Game-Time Decision for AFC Championship

Friday, Jan. 16

ESPN's Josina Anderson has the latest on Richardson:

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Richardson Discusses Benching

Thursday, Jan. 15

Zak Keefer of The Indianapolis Star talked to Richardson about his benching and how he coped with the decision:

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Richardson Inactive vs. Broncos

Sunday, Jan. 11

Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson is inactive for Sunday's divisional-round playoff game against the Denver Broncos.    

Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network reported the news:

Pagano explained the decision Monday, via Stephen Holder of The Indianapolis Star:

Richardson was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft and was often ineffective in his brief stint with the Cleveland Browns. The Colts traded a first-round draft choice for Richardson near the beginning of the 2013 campaign, which hasn't panned out at all.

Colts general manager Ryan Grigson recently stuck by his decision to deal for Richardson.

"When we made that trade it was a great shot in the arm," said Grigson, via NFL.com's Conor Orr. "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."

Stephen Holder of The Indianapolis Star added more context:

CBS Sports' Joel Corry analyzed what Indianapolis might do to cut its losses:

Even after Ahmad Bradshaw went down with a fractured fibula this year, the likes of Dan "Boom" Herron and Zurlon Tipton have managed to surpass Richardson on the depth chart.

Grigson's effort to supply franchise quarterback Andrew Luck with a competent running game had good intentions. However, based on Richardson's absence from the gridiron for the team's biggest game, it appears time to move on.

Barring some unforeseen development, Richardson is on course to be one of the biggest draft busts in recent memory. That he hasn't been able to distinguish himself among a mediocre stable of Colts running backs doesn't bode well for his NFL future.