Trent Richardson: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation Surrounding Free Agent RB

After another tough season in Indianapolis, running back Trent Richardson has been waived by the Colts. Richardson has reportedly landed in Oakland after exploring free agency.

Continue for updates. 

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Raiders Reportedly Signing Richardson

Tuesday, March 17

Scott Bair of CSN California reported that the Raiders agreed to a deal with Richardson.

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Colts Waive Richardson

Thursday, March 12

The Colts announced that they have waived Richardson, along with running back Michael Hill.

Stephen Holder of The Indianapolis Star reported on Feb. 17 that Richardson missed the team walkthrough, which led to his two-game suspension for the playoffs because of serious concerns regarding his girlfriend's pregnancy:

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But here's an issue that's much less clear: Is Richardson guilty of engaging in conduct detrimental to the team?

That's what the Colts are, in effect, alleging based on their decision to suspend Richardson for two games without pay for not contacting the team prior to missing the walkthrough and flight before last month's AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots. However, sources said his absence was the result of serious complications with his girlfriend's pregnancy that could potentially have endangered the life of the child.

These sources said the mother was experiencing contractions and appeared to be in premature labor at just 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Richardson, sources said, rushed her to the hospital in the early-morning hours of Jan. 17—the same day the team departed for the New England game—missing that morning's walkthrough in Indianapolis and the team's chartered flight.

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Holder also noted the language in the running back's contract that the team would use to void his contract:

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Now, the Colts' handling of Richardson could come under scrutiny because being suspended for conduct detrimental to the team allows the Colts to cut the underperforming running back without paying the final season of his current contract.

Default language in Richardson's contract permits the Colts to release him and void the remaining $3.184 million in guaranteed money for a wide range of reasons. Those reasons include a failure to report, incarceration and — as is the case here — suspension by the team.

If the Colts release Richardson, who was the third overall pick in the 2012 draft, and withhold his 2015 salary, things will almost certainly get contentious. Such action would likely prompt his agent to file a grievance on Richardson's behalf, with an arbitrator ultimately deciding whether the team's position is justified.

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On Feb. 9, Mike Wells of ESPN.com reported that Indianapolis grew unhappy with Richardson's "weight issues, accessibility and an absence," per sources. Wells added further details on the team's concerns:

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Richardson, whom the Colts acquired from Cleveland in September 2013, had weight issues during the season, was difficult to get in touch with and didn't tell the team he wouldn't be at the walkthrough the day before the AFC Championship Game, a source said. He was suspended two games by the team for missing the walkthrough.

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According to Joel Corry of CBS Sports, Richardson's suspension in the 2015 NFL playoffs voided the guarantees in his deal:

However, Stephen Holder of The Indianapolis Star reported that the NFL Players Association is likely to appeal the voiding:

Richardson's career has never taken off as it was expected to. He did score 11 rushing touchdowns as a rookie in Cleveland but finished 2012 averaging 3.6 yards per carry. Instead of building on that success, the former Alabama star has fallen off a cliff with 1,082 yards and six rushing touchdowns in the last two years.

Considering the Colts gave up a first-round draft pick to acquire Richardson in 2013, it's safe to say they didn't get a good return on that investment. At 24 years old, it's unclear what will happen with the running back next year. He may find a career as a backup, but no team can trust him to carry the load at this point.