Flip a coin and call heads or tails, and you have nearly the same chance of guessing correctly as Oakland Raiders embattled running back Trent Richardson has of making the team’s final 53-man roster.
According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Richardson’s chances of playing in Week 1 are “about 50-50.”
The running back is on thin ice to say the least as the preseason begins. Rapoport further elaborated on where things stand for Richardson and the Raiders:
“The reality is (Richardson) has some very real competition, thanks to some newfound depth on this roster,” Rapoport added. “He needs to do exactly what they ask on the field and off the field just to make this roster. … It’s possible at this point that Trent Richardson is the odd man out.”
Richardson, a former first-round pick, has failed miserably to impress since his successful rookie season when he played with the Cleveland Browns in 2012. That year Richardson rushed for 950 yards and scored 11 touchdowns.
Since his trade to the Indianapolis Colts early in the 2013 season, the 25 year old running back’s career has spiraled down the drain. After being cut the Colts in 2015, Richardson was signed by the Oakland Raiders in March for a two-year deal which included $600,000 in guaranteed money.
Already starting off on the wrong foot, Richardson is currently sitting on the non-football injury (NFI) list.
He’ll have to fight for the life of his career against running backs Latavius Murray, Roy Helu and Michael Dyer to keep a roster spot come Week 1. Sadly for Richardson, a cut by the Raiders could be it for the young running back who, in what seems ions ago, showed so much promise.
Richardson was one of my five potential salary cap casualties entering the preseason.
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