Browns’ top pick misses practice

Associated Press

BEREA

Trent Richardson may miss his first game for the Cleveland Browns.

The highly regarded rookie was not in pads, his left leg was wrapped, and he did not participate in practice at all on Tuesday.

“There’s a chance he won’t play on Friday,” coach Pat Shurmur said. “He’s got a sore knee and is being evaluated.”

It could be the result of going full-bore the past two weeks on a knee that was surgically repaired this spring. That’s one of the reasons Richardson did not fully participate in the NFL combine in April.

“It was a little scope,” Richardson said at the time of what was termed minor surgery. “I don’t even call it a setback.”

It didn’t keep Cleveland from trading up to No. 3 in the draft to select the tailback who helped lead Alabama to the national championship. And it didn’t prevent the Browns from signing Richardson to a four-year, $20.5 million contract.

“I’m always concerned about injuries,” Shurmur said. “He’s been practicing well. We’ll just have to see where he is.”

Richardson has been quite impressive in camp, displaying quickness and toughness. He did miss practice time last week with what Shurmur said was a headache.

Richardson, starting tight end Ben Watson and a few others limited by various ailments rode stationary bicycles as the team went through regular drills on Tuesday.

Shurmur didn’t seem as worried about Watson, who missed time last season with a concussion. He stopped short of saying the nine-year pro would play when Cleveland opens the preseason Friday in Detroit.

“He’s doing fine,” Shurmur said. “He’ll be back out here soon. We’re dealing with some soft tissue [issues].”

Shurmur also said Marvin Benard was “doing fine,” though the linebacker was nowhere to be seen during drills after walking off midway through practice on Monday.

Cleveland will face the Lions without at least two starters on defense. Linebacker Chris Gocong is out for the season with a torn right Achilles’ tendon. Lineman Phil Taylor, last year’s No. 1 pick, will be sidelined until at least mid-October after a torn pectoral muscle repaired this spring.

If Richardson can’t play, Montario Hardesty will get the chance to show if he has progressed. A second-round choice from Tennessee in 2010, he tore up his left knee in the preseason that year and missed the entire season. In sporadic time a year ago, he rushed for 266 yards in 10 games.

Hardesty, in better shape now after dropping about 10 pounds down to 215, is eager to play.